National Grief Awareness Week aims to normalise grief and encourages people to talk about this often uncomfortable subject.
Andy Langford, clinical director at Cruse Bereavement Care said: “Talking about your grief can be incredibly difficult. However when we do talk, and to those we trust, it can be one of the most effective ways of supporting yourself when you are bereaved – and feel like a huge relief.”
The theme of this 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 are urged to use the hashtag #ShareYourStory and document their experiences because “distance shouldn’t mean we can’t share our grief”.
When faced with bereavement, Langford says “grief can affect people physically as well as emotionally”. Many people find that words often fail to explain their emotions and physical aches compress the chest.
Of course no single set of prose or even a thousand tomes will ever be able to provide soothe these feelings completely, provide the answers or solve the problems.
But as never-ending as the process of mourning may be, when going through a difficult time, books can provide solace and words of comfort. Grieving can be a lonely experience, but being privy to another’s suffering can give a sense of company.
In honour of National Grief Awareness Week, we’ve selected the books for both adults and children that may just help you better understand the grieving process. But of course remember, it’s ok to not be ok.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.