In November, I lost a coworker I was close with. I used to stop by her office every day to chat about our weekend plans, our families, and—mostly—my cat. Even now, months later, I still see people around the office struggling with the loss. It’s hard to believe she’s really gone.

Losing a coworker is a unique and often overlooked form of grief. For many of us, the workplace is where we spend the majority of our time. We often see our coworkers more than our closest friends or even family. They become a constant in our lives—sharing conversations, solving problems together, and supporting us through challenges, big and small. Their absence can leave an unexpected gap in our lives, affecting not only the workplace but also our personal emotions.

Grieving in a professional setting can be complicated. You may feel pressure to continue working as usual, even while processing sadness, shock, or confusion. Whether your coworker was a close friend or someone you only interacted with occasionally, their passing is felt in different ways.

Even though I work at a cemetery, I still struggle to process loss. After my coworker passed, I spent a lot of time researching this specific grief. The most helpful resource I found was What’s Your Grief, which offers articles on different types of grief—including the loss of a coworker. Their blog post on the topic really resonated with me and became a source of inspiration. Understanding how to navigate this kind of loss can help you and your team cope in a healthy and supportive manner.

Acknowledge Your Feelings

Grief is deeply personal, and everyone processes loss differently. Some may feel deep sadness, others may experience guilt, regret, or even numbness. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, but acknowledging your emotions is essential to healing. Suppressing feelings can lead to stress, burnout, or difficulty concentrating.
It’s okay to be upset.

Give yourself the space to grieve in whatever way feels right—whether that means taking a quiet moment alone, talking with a trusted colleague, or stepping away when needed.

Support One Another

Because coworkers share so much time together, losing one can affect an entire workplace. A culture of support can make a big difference. Check in on colleagues, share memories, or attend a memorial service together. A simple conversation about your coworker’s impact can provide comfort to those around you. If your workplace arranges a tribute or moment of silence, participating can be a meaningful way to honor their memory.

Ease Back Into Work

Returning to work can feel strange, especially if the coworker was someone you saw or collaborated with daily. Their empty desk, missed emails, or absence in meetings can be a painful reminder. While getting back to routine can help provide stability, it’s important to be patient with yourself.

Set realistic expectations and break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. If possible, delegate or adjust workloads to reduce added stress. Outside of work, engage in activities that bring you peace, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, exercising, or simply taking time to reflect.

Honor Their Memory

A coworker’s presence doesn’t disappear just because they are no longer physically there. Finding a way to honor them can be a powerful way to process grief. Consider sharing a kind memory, contributing to a cause they cared about, or participating in a workplace initiative that reflects their values.

Grief takes time, but through mutual support, reflection, and honoring the connections they built, we ensure our coworkers’ impact lives on. I miss my coworker every day, but I find comfort in knowing she’s looking down on us from heaven, watching over the place she cared about so much.

Written By: Paige Muttillo | Marketing Manager | Catholic Cemeteries Association