Bereavement & grief hub
What is ‘grief’?
Grief is something we feel in response to loss. This can be loss that has already happened, or loss that we know is likely to happen. Grief can take many forms, and there is no right or wrong way to feel when grieving. Some people may feel happy, even lucky, during their grief journey.
Why we use the phrase ‘grief journey’
Every grief is unique. Not just to the person feeling it, but to the loss they’re experiencing. Some feel that grief is a ‘process’, that we go through stages. Others find no process or stages in how they feel.
That’s why we use the phrase ‘grief journey’. Every grief journey looks different, and is incredibly personal to each of us.
Remember, if you’re grieving in a different way to other people, this is normal. Your grief is your own: it belongs to you.
Parasocial grief
In short, parasocial grief is where public grieving can transform into private grief. This can happen when a public figure, attraction, or something ‘communal’ is lost. We might not have ever known them personally, but they nonetheless mean a lot to us.
You may find this article from Psychology.com interesting:
Special interest grief
Some people, especially neurodivergent people, develop special interests. In some cases, these special interests can become a very large focus of a person’s daily life. When they lose interest with this special interest, or are no longer able to engage with it, it can cause what’s known as ‘special interest grief’.
You may find this forum post on the National Autistic Society, from someone who banned themselves from their special interest, insightful:
Stages of grief
You may have heard of grief having ‘stages’. Or that there is a process we all go through when we’re grieving. It’s important to remember that every grief journey is entirely unique to us, and to the loss we’re experiencing.
Some people might find stage theories of grief reassuring and comforting. Others may worry that their grief journey is not following a certain stage theory. Stage theories are meant to be reflective of people’s journeys with grief. They are not meant to define our experiences with grief.
Leaflets
Our work experience student Charley has worked very hard on producing some leaflets for us on different types of grief. You can read them below:
Places you may find help you following a bereavement:
Children and Families in Grief (CFG)
Based in Torbay, Children and Families in Grief that provides support for children and their families following a bereavement
Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust is a national charity ‘run by the bereaved for the bereaved’. It shares stories of other people’s grief, and helps to signpost towards services and resources that might help
Bereavement Advice Centre
Sometimes, there’s so much we have to do after a person dies that it can feel overwhelming to know what to do first. The Bereavement Advice Centre can help you make sense of the administrative side of bereavement
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish is a charity that provides free online support to children and young adults (under 25) following a bereavement, or who are facing a loved one’s death
Rowcroft Hospice
Rowcroft Hospice has a small team of volunteers who are able to help people who are bereaved, if they feel they need it
Bereavement Counselling Service
Based in Plymouth, the Bereavement Counselling Service specialises in supporting people experiencing complex grief and traumatic loss