The Many Faces of Grief

According to Merriam Webster's definition, grief is a deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement.  The catalyst for grief can come from a variety of circumstances including aging parents, loss of a home, divorce, physical decline and/or loss of a job.  With the frequency of these life events along with the upheaval in the Middle East and tragedies in Japan, it seems that grief is all around us.  However, because everyone's journey through the grieving process is so different, it is not always easy to be empathetic to others or ourselves.  What are some of the most effective and compassionate ways you have expressed concern for those who are grieving?  How long is too long to grieve?  What signs trigger the need for professional intervention?