Connections: Steps to take and Web sites to help

Advice from bereavement counselors and those who have lost a spouse or life partner:

Get out of the house, see a movie, take a walk, drive to the beach

Accept invitations

Find a hobby, volunteer, join a club

Cry

Take care of yourself - a healthy diet, enough sleep, exercise

There's no formula or timetable; mourn and move on at your comfort level

Try a bereavement group

Join Facebook

Be good to yourself

Laugh - don't feel guilty

Date

Advice for friends and family:

Let them cry

Listen

Visit for no reason

Call and e-mail just to say hello

It's OK to talk about the deceased

Helpful Web sites

Bellmore Widows/Widowers Group: widow.meetup.com/151

LI/NYC Metro Area Young Widow/er's Group is on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=205273635847

Young Widow Bulletin Board (YWBB): www.ywbb.org/

Rockville Centre Diocese site links to many bereavement opportunities in Nassau and Suffolk: www.holyroodcemetery.org/bereavement.htm