People can be very supportive in the initial days after a death. However, there are many things for them to do:
It's a matter of being friends: taking on the necessary tasks, so survivors have the time and energy to actively mourn their loss.
Unfortunately, once the funeral is over, things can change dramatically. This support system can dissolve quickly as people return to their everyday routines. The phone stops ringing, and the bereaved may find their days and nights to be long and lonely.