“Talking about death is so important. In our society it’s become so taboo, something to avoid. The thing is, not talking about it does not save you or those you love from dying. It does however keep you unprepared and scared of the one thing we have no control over.”

“When life feels utterly meaningless and stretches ahead with the gaping crater in the shape of your loved one and the pain feels overwhelming and the sadness swallows you up, it takes immense courage to keep going.”

“I wish I knew then that living with the pain of unresolved loss, bottling things up, would lead me to a more complicated and longer lasting grief that was difficult and painful to unpick, even with the help of a professional years down the line.”

“I have found that the things that drove me absolutely mental mad about my mum, are the very things that hurt so much now they are gone.”

“The impact she made on the person I am can never be reversed.”

Christina’s daughter died at the age of 12.

Suzanne’s son, mother and father died in the space of seven months.

Amy’s mum died of cancer after Amy had become a mum for the first time.

Ellie’s little sister died aged 26 after a short and sudden collapse.

Marie lost her mother when she was 7 years old, her adoptive mother at 18, and her father just before turning 31.

Tamsin’s mum died in August 2020, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2018.

Ajarae’s dad died suddenly in 2019.

Isabelle’s cousin died by suicide in January 2017.

Abi works as a lawyer, specialising in end of life planning and grief.

Bella writes about her experiences of infertility.

@allthingsgrief writes about the experience of losing her dad.

Fran’s beloved husband Steve died from COVID-19 in 2020.

Ariel’s dad was murdered in 2017.

Grace’s dad died two years ago after a short illness.

Hayley’s boyfriend died after time in rehab.

Kate’s mum died from alcoholism after her third relapse.

Jennifer’s first son died tragically and unexpectedly when he was three months old.

Gina’s dad died suddenly and unexpectedly one quiet Sunday morning in November 2019.

Suzanne has found EMDR therapy helpful in dealing with the death of her son.