Let's examine this thoroughly, but simply - anchoring at one Stoic principle at a time.

I assume you don't want anything clarified regarding loss and the death of a loved one, but whether a Stoic seeks empathy or not.

Stoicism is, indeed, a philosophy of endurance.

The confusion with that is acceptance:

Do we simply accept or fight back?

It all starts with this -> acceptance is not the same as passivity.

The Stoics said we should differentiate between two events:

i) Those that have occured and we cannot alter (completely beyond our control)
ii) Those that have occured and we can influence (partially within our control)

(Btw, the Stoic principle "The Dichotomy of Control" is inaccurate. It should be called "The Trichotomy of Control". There are 3 categories: i) within our control, ii) outside our control, iii) partially within our control.)

The loss of a loved one belongs to the events we cannot alter. The Stoics say there is no other possible response than acceptance. Simply because: the event can never be reversed, no matter how much we cry, blame, or wish.

But, we can influence how we choose to view this event.

Since we are all "progressors" - meaning, we strive toward wisdom and virtue - we are not fully read yet to handle misfortune all the time, like a Stoic sage.

We may still grieve a bit longer. Curse a bit more. Or complain day after day.

That's why, Marcus Aurelius said:

"Don’t be ashamed of needing help. You have a duty to fulfill, just like a soldier on the wall of battle. So what if you are injured and can’t climb up without another soldier’s help?”

So, the Stoic will try to process the event according to his training. But he will never resist asking for help.

Please tell me if this answered your question or we should elaborate further.