Talking about death with your loved ones can be one of the hardest things to do. No matter the context, talking about someone who has died, talking about someone dying, or talking about yourself in that way it’s always going to be an emotional conversation. No one likes to talk about death and there is no right way to go about it. In any scenario, death is an extremely sensitive topic and should be treated as such.
As a Memorial Jewellery brand, we have listened to many stories from our customers who are experiencing bereavement and have decided to share a few tips on talking about death and where to seek help if you are experiencing grief.
Tips for Talking About Death
Be honest with the other person.
The context in which this conversation is held can be extremely difficult and you may want to hold back a bit. But it is important that if you are having an open conversation about it, then it is completely open about your or their wishes surrounding death. These conversations are often seen between siblings. You may not know the right things to say in these conversations but as long as you are being honest and communicative with the other person, that is all you need.
Don’t hold back your feelings.
These conversations can be extremely emotional and there may be tears involved. There could also be anger depending on the situation. It is important to stay calm but also to not hold back emotions during this time. Communication is key and sharing these feelings may help other people process their grief during this time.
Reassure the person.
The person that is talking about the subject of death is going through a lot. It is important to reassure them that you are there for them if they need you at any time to talk about what their emotional feelings are.
Who Can Help
There are many people available to talk to you about the death of a loved one. Sometimes you may feel alone but it is important to know that there is support out there when you need it.
Family and friends
Call on your closest friends and family to meet for a chat. Even if they don’t want to talk about your grief because it’s too close to home, they can offer other forms of support. Even though people may want to be supportive of you through this, it may be hard for them to start talking about death while they deal with their own grieving. You may find it easier to talk to people that are not directly impacted by the same loss or you may wish to share in your feelings of grief. You may also find it useful to wear an item of our Ashes Jewellery, Handwriting Jewellery or Fingerprint Jewellery to symbolise your loss without having to vocalise it to your peers. When your friends see you wearing a piece of symbolic Memorial Jewellery they will know to be sensitive to you and offer support.
Therapists
Therapists are a great asset for people that are dealing with death in any form. They can help you talk about your feelings and aid the healing process. Grief is hard to deal with, but therapists are specially trained to assist you on the path to healing from the death of a loved one or other loss.
Helplines
● Mind
● Local Minds
● Side by Side
● AtaLoss
● Blue Cross help specifically for pet loss or sickness. (You may also find our paw print jewellery comforting if you are seeking help for the loss of your fur baby.)
Visit Mind for a list of additional helplines that offer specific assistance with talking about death and loss.
