How to Ease the Grief Process by Normalizing Death

The very word ‘death’ can evoke a range of emotions — fear, sadness, even a touch of morbid curiosity. Yet, in our fast-paced, youth-obsessed society, death has become a taboo subject, an unwelcome guest we usher away and pretend doesn’t exist. This societal dance of avoidance keeps us comfortable most days, however, it has a significant downside: it makes the inevitable event of death all the more difficult to endure and process when it finally arrives at our doorstep, or the doorstep of someone we love.

Next to none of us know how to truly help someone experiencing the loss of a loved one. We become awkward, unsure of what to do or say. Falling into the cliche’s we’ve heard from others who mean well but also don’t know what to do or say. Giving them a “Let me know if you need anything” which gives more work to the grieving person or “They’re in a better place” which may not align with the beliefs of the one in pain, causing them discomfort.

When we experience a loss ourselves of a loved one, our systems are often so overwhelmed with shock that we lose ourselves entirely. Becoming inconsolable or volatile, often for years afterwards. Unable to cope with the change because we’ve never took the time to consider life on the other side of such an event.