One of my oldest friends, who is 44, lost her younger sister in a car accident a few months ago. I know she's been struggling with it, and her way of dealing with problems has ALWAYS been alcohol, so although she knows I'm always here for her we don't spend a lot of time together, because I don't really know her 'drinking buddies.' Anyway, she texted me at 3:30 this morning and asked me to call her, said she was only a little drunk (ha!)... she doesn't know how to cope, and although she was raised in a Catholic family she has zero belief in the afterlife or anything beyond, and is frustrated by everyone using that as a way that she should be comforted with her sister's death. Looking for something that will help her, but everything is religious -- other than antidepressants and 3 am phone calls whenever she needs them, how does one atheiest help another atheist grieve?
For her:
So sorry for her loss. Is she seeing a therapist? That might be best right now.