Sign Up Today & Receive Our
FREE
SPECIAL REPORT
"25 Supportive Things You Can Do For Someone That Has Lost a Loved One
~ Plus 10 Thoughtful Gift Ideas"

 

FREE Monthly Ezine Subscription
Primary Email:  
For Email Marketing you can trust
 Monthly you will receive tips, articles and inspirational stories on how to assist a loved one through the journey of restoring balance in their life after a loss.
 
We promise to never sell, rent, trade, or share your e-mail with any other organization.
Welcome
About Us
I Did Not Know What To Say...
Inspirational Messages & Ideas
Inspirational Adventures
Thoughtful Sympathy Gifts
Our Blog
Share Your Story
Grief Support Resources
Helpful Grief Support Books
Giving Back
Gratitude Forum
Helpful Resources
FAQ
Sponsors & Advertisers
Join Our Mailing List
Contact Us
Site Map
e-mail me

About Us

After the loss of my mother, I was inspired to start writing a book entitled I Didn't Know What To Say. After receiving many sympathy cards from people, I realized how difficult it could be to find the words to express concern, hope and support for someone when they have lost a loved one. So I started collecting inspirational and thoughtful messages my friends and family had sent to me over the years. This site is inspired to help us all find the words to assist our friends and family members through a great loss when we don’t know what to say.


About Lori Pederson
Founder of  I Did Not Know What to Say.com and Grief Educator

 

I Didn't Know What To Say.com was created to inspire and provide you with tools to assist a friend or family member through the grieving process.

 

My expertise comes from those experiences that only life can provide.  Over the past 20 years I have lost many family members and several friends. Namely, my mother who died when she was 50 from ovarian cancer, my aunt Pam, who died two weeks after my mother in a fatal car crash, my aunt Carol, who died from melanoma, my grandfather Ted from bone cancer, my friend Dan at age 28 who died from a rare form of abdominal cancer, my grandmother Lillian, who died from breast cancer, my grandfather Magnus- bless him to be the only one who has died of old age at 98, my pets Red, Jonathan and Harley, and several friends and colleagues along the way. I am no stranger to loss nor is my family. I mention my loss to acknowledge that what I write is from the heart and from true-life experience.

 

In addition to my many life experiences, I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University at Northridge. I have presented workshops in the area of active listening, handling life’s transitions, and leadership development for over twenty years and have extensive experience mentoring and coaching young adults.  I am also currently studying with the Grief Coach Academy.

 

Throughout my life I have been blessed with many friends and relatives that were there for me as I went through the process of grieving to healing.  Their thoughtfulness has been an inspiration to me and I hope to you as well. 

 

I have learned over the years that although people want to support a grieving loved one, they often don't know where to start.  I Did Not Know What To Say.com was created out of my passion to assist people find the words when they don't know what to say or how to be supportive. 

 

I welcome you to share your experiences and inspirational messages.  As we receive new submissions we will be posting them on the website.

 

The smallest of gestures can make a big difference in someone's life.  My hope is that our site will inspire you to make a difference in the lives of those around you.  

 

With Love and Gratitude,

Lori


Telesummits

itsabouthowyoulive

Listen to Lori Pederson's Interview

 

 

Recent Press Coverage & Articles
 

We would like to express our deep gratitude to the many newsletters, blogs and websites that have featured our website.

 

As Seen On:

 

 

 

October 2014 - 10 ways to help a grieving loved one
by Lori Pederson

We are very honored to be included in reimagine's online magazine.

 

Reimagine is a new online platform for people who have been touched by cancer.  Reimagine's digital health and wellness magazine features stories, videos and images to inform and empower readers.  In addition to the magazine, the foundation of the company is education.  Reimagine teaches online classes with live teachers so you can learn skills to take your life back from cancer.


 

Grief Tele Summit
We are honored to be included as one of the 17 Speakers at the
Grief Healing Telesummit!

Listen to Lori Pederson's interview

 
Creating Calm Network Broadcast Group
The Grammar of Grief with Uma Girish
Interview with Lori Pederson: What to say (and not to say) to someone who is grieving - August 20, 2014 - Click to Listen


 
womens day

9 Things Not to Say to Someone Who's Grieving

Learn what you shouldn’t mention to someone going through a loss
by Laurie Sue Brockway


Thank you Laurie Sue for including us in your article!


 

October 2011 - Lori Pederson featured on page 71
We would like to express our gratitude to Lexie Brockway Potamkin for including us in her newest book "What is Death".

THE NOTE PROJECT June 28, 2012 - More Than Words Can Say
 
by Lori Pederson

Beliefnet: Inspiration, Spirituality, Faith

May 2010 - 21 Ways to Help a Grieving Friend or Loved One by Lori Pederson
We are very honored to have our EBook on 21 Ways to Help a Grieving Friend featured on the Beliefnet.com website.

 

•  The Gift of Listening

 

•  What Not to Say to a Grieving Loved One

 

•  Helping Your Loved One Find Fun and Adventure in the Grieving Process

 

•  Be the Gift of Comfort, Joy and Love This Holiday Season

 

•  Tips on How to Choose a Thoughtful Sympathy Gift

 

•  12 Simple Ways to Support a Grieving Friend This Holiday Season

 

 

October 5, 2010 - What to Say… When You Don’t Know What To Say featured on
Storybooks for Healing


February 2010
- Lori Pederson, Founder interviewed by Jill Rheaume - Stress and Dealing with Loss featured on www.o
urstressfullives.com.

May 7, 2009 - What to Say... When You Don’t Know What To Say featured in Life Preservers - In The Flow newsletter.