National Grief Awareness Week
The bereaved have often felt alone and isolated throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Sharing stories can help those grieving to know that the person who has died will be remembered and can help the bereaved to process their grief. Sharing stories can help others to understand the impact of grief and loss and enable conversations to take place.
We spoke to Marise, our Chaplaincy Manager at the Royal Derby Hospital, she said: “This year, most of us have had our own experiences of grief – we’ve all experienced different kinds of loss; loss of space, loss of the way we normally live our lives, and the loss of loved ones or colleagues. It’s all grief and it’s all loss.
“Throughout this pandemic, people have felt separated from each other and not able to have the usual support and contact, but in fact, people are there for us and the best way you can be there for others is sharing your story of grief because grief often goes unrecognised, we don’t talk about it.
“This year, let’s share out stories and reach out to other in the safest and best way that we can – whether that be though social media or a socially-distanced chat – it doesn’t matter!
“Our stories are real, our grief is real and we need to hold on to that and make the space for each other to share our grief.”
Marise Hargreaves - Grief Awareness from UHDB Communications on Vimeo.<
Grief does not discriminate. We will all be affected by bereavement. Children, young people, the older generation, all faiths, all religions, all cultures, all sectors of our community will grieve. It’s really important that we start talking.
For further support and guidance on grief after bereavement or loss, visit the NHS website (opens in new window) >.