Thread by @sibumabena

In your 20s, 30s and onwards, your friends are starting to lose very close relatives. My generation finds itself not being sure how to help when tragedy strikes. Here are some practical things you can do to be of service to a friend in need during funeral preps... a thread:

1. There will be people coming to the deceased’s family home every day... assist by contributing refreshments like tea, juice, ice, amakhekhe and the likes

2. Arrange yourselves as a group of friends and collect money to contribute to the family (rich or not)... petty cash during a time like this can go a long way to pay for petrol and buy that uncle airtime and such and such

3. Groceries for the house in general also help. The bereaved family is busy organizing a funeral and can forget to get things like dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, bread and other daily essential...

4. Cooking for the family... as a group of friends, you can split up the work... someone cooks starch, another meat, another vegetables and you deliver cooked food to the home. Rotate amongst yourselves... just ensure that the family is kept nourished

5. Donate resources for the week leading up to the funeral... Chairs, Glasses, Plates, Tent, a Van... if you have access to such items, they can really go a long way

6. Donate your time and hands to asssist with logistics... if you needs be, drive your friend around for arrangements, help with programmes and printing of stuff, go shopping for your friend because they might not be able to get to the shop themselves

7. Be present. Offer help. Make your friend feel like it’s okay to ask for help.

We grew up watching our older siblings, parents and other relatives do this exact sort of thing for their friends and neighbors... sadly... it’s our time now.

Let’s love each other even if it takes us out of our way. ❤️