National Grief Awareness Week

National Grief Awareness week took place last year between 2nd – 8th December.

National Grief Awareness week is an annual national event which started in 2019 and is driven by The Good Grief Trust, bringing all UK bereavement services, support organisations and helplines together under one central database. Offering early signposting to a choice of support for both the bereaved and those working with them.

The aim is to encourage people to talk about their experiences of grief as this is often an uncomfortable and difficult subject for many. When we talk about it, it can be one of the most of effective ways of supporting yourself and can be a huge relief.

The theme of last year’s event recognises that during Covid-19, many people are grieving at home and are unable to reach out to friends, family and loved ones for much-need human contact.

As such people were urged to use the hashtag #ShareYourStory and document their experiences because “distance shouldn’t mean we can’t share our grief”.

A poster campaign was launched, and these images are available to organisations to download from the website www.nationalgriefawarenessweek.org The key messages are set out below and can also be found on the website.

Your story could become someone’s hope

We know that many have not been able to share their stories of grief in the past year. Sharing our 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 will help others to understand the impact of grief and loss and will enable conversations to take place, to open up to emotions and feelings that are often difficult to express.

Just because I'm smiling doesn't mean I'm not grieving

The bereaved often have to hide their grief from others. Sometimes it is from their friends and family as they do not want to burden them. Sometimes it is from their colleagues at work. Please look out for them, check they are okay, in the early days and ongoing. They may look alright, they may be going to work, but deep inside they could be struggling and just need your support and understanding.

Say their name, I'm thinking about them anyway

We are often afraid to mention the person's name who has died. We think we will upset our friend or family member, but it is generally the opposite. By saying their name, remembering them and talking about them, you are helping to share your love and affection for that person. This is very important and will help those grieving to know that you will help to keep their memory alive.

There's no one face of grief

Grief does not discriminate. We will all be affected by a bereavement. Children, young people, the older generation, all faiths, all religions, all cultures, all sectors of our community will grieve. We need to help all minority groups who are often stigmatised to #OpenUpToGrief and help to support anyone, anywhere who needs help.

There's no set time for grieving

There is a myth that you 'get over' grief. That you 'move on'. You don't. You move forward with your grief, but you may be affected by a bereavement throughout your whole life. Often after the funeral, people leave and things go 'back to normal'. This is the time when the bereaved most need support, when they feel alone and isolated. We need to understand that there are triggers that may come from nowhere that will affect them in the weeks, months and years after the death.