National Grief Awareness Week 2-8 December 2024

National Grief Awareness Week is a compassionate and important observance dedicated to raising awareness about grief, providing support to those who are grieving, and fostering a better understanding of the grieving process. It acknowledges that grief is a natural response to loss and aims to break the stigma surrounding this deeply personal experience.

What is National Grief Awareness Week 2024?

National Grief Awareness Week is an annual event that aims to create a safe space for individuals to openly discuss their experiences with grief and loss. It encourages empathy, compassion, and support for those who are grieving, emphasizing that grief is a universal and often challenging part of the human experience.

Grief affects people in different ways. If your partner, relative or friend has died, you may find it hard to cope with your emotions and the practical things you have to do.

What is grief?

Grief is a word for some of the feelings you may have after the death of someone close to you. 

There is no right or wrong way to grieve.  Some people describe being overcome or frightened by their feelings, others say they feel numb.

The thoughts and feelings you have will vary. Sometimes, they may be very intense and stop you doing things. At other times, they may be in the background and you can still do your day-to-day activities.

How you feel and react may depend on different things, such as:

• the relationship you had with the person who died
• if the death was expected
• how they died
• any previous experience of death you have had.

Your feelings may change day to day or even hour to hour. It is quite normal to have ups and downs. 

If you continue to be overwhelmed by your feelings, it is important to get the right help and support. You should talk to your GP or another health or social care professional.