Kelly Clarkson has begun picking up the pieces of her life following the tragic death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, but according to a source, her friends are encouraging her to take her time before making any major decisions about what to do next with her hectic career.

Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has passed away after a three-year cancer battle, his family said in a statement. The Silver Bow County Coroner, Dan Hollis, confirmed to TODAY.com that Blackstock's cause of death was melanoma and the manner of death was natural causes.

Brandon Blackstock, the talent manager and former husband of Kelly Clarkson, died of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, on Aug. 7. The Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis tells PEOPLE Blackstock "passed away peacefully at his home in Butte,