When my first wife died tragically in 1991, it was my sweet friends who were there for the kids and I. Having relationships outside of the box created the village we needed to survive. One friend, Judy, came and stayed with us for weeks. Some folks were aghast that this "other woman" was staying with me.
A niece also flew out and stayed with us awhile. My niece and Judy were a team. Given that I was making funeral arrangements and dealing with two kids in intensive care I really didn't care what other people thought.
My sister was also a huge huge help, but she was not local. I could not have done what had to be done without each and every one of them.
