You’re a keeper!
So it sounds like I’m on the right track - good to know. I like the idea of getting him to do something he’s good at - no surprise, he’s not very inclined to do much right now. Cleaning the house is probably a good idea, too - I read somewhere that it is a psychological lift to be in a clean environment. Too bad I hate housekeeping so much. {heavy sigh} The things we do for love. 
Oh, it was an emotional loss - I’ll not go into the details out of respect for his privacy.
Sometime when I am feeling down, I just like to be left alone and process my own thoughts… We have a few state parks near where I live. After the loss of my grandfather (who I was close to), I went there alone and hiked out to a spot that overlooked a watefall. It gave me a chance to clear my head. To do some thinking (and crying, I will admit). It was nice to be outdoors in the fresh clean air and not have to explain “what I was thinking or feeling” to anybody. It helped me come to terms with my loss and get me on a path to, as they say, “keep on living”…
It is simply impossible to overemphasize Hot Monkey Sex to treat a depressed husband.
If he’s grieving a loss then I wouldn’t be surprised if sex is the last thing on his mind.
I would suggest a drive in the car. Into the countryside, if you can.
There’s something about being in a car, where you’re both looking forward, that can make it easier to talk. It’s less ‘intense’ than sitting on a couch facing each other.
Forgive me sandra but you are a woman aren’t you?
Has anyone mentioned hot monkey… oh, wait.
This is a rhetorical question, right?
Men tend to go into their burrows for a while over things, just don’t take it on, he’s not angry with you, they just seem to process things quietly, ponderously and gradually come back to reality - often never discussing the issue.
Seconded, with the caveat that the reward is hot monkey sex.
Might want to avoid complete manual labor that allows him to think about the loss while on auto-pilot. Worst breakup I had was exacerbated by my landscaping job…All I did was dig, think, dig, think, think, think, dig, think, dig, obsess… repeat as nauseum.
Volunteer work together? Do a little soup kitchen duty together to cast light on what is really important?
A new pet? Fish tank? Parrakeet? Someting to care about and fuss over?
And lastly, anti-depressants can help for a short-term period. I did a Lexapro (Cipralex) stint for 6 months after a bad time. Helped, then I stopped, didn’t need it anymore. Only problem was the hot monkey sex never stopped (functioning plumbing, no orgasm).
Invite your mom over for a 3 week visit. Get him to focus his rage elsewhere. (I kid!)
-Tcat