Although I specialise in widowhood, my work frequently brings me into contact with people navigating many forms of loss including the death of a parent, a sibling, a friend or a child sometimes due to mental ill health, suicide or terminal illness. Over time, I’ve seen that while the shape of grief varies, the need for compassion, recognition and community remains the same. That’s why, in this blog, I am stepping beyond my widow-specific experiences to reflect and honour the full landscape of grief, by shining a spotlight on the various grief or bereavement-related awareness days, weeks and months that run throughout the year. 

They give us space to acknowledge the full spectrum of loss and to stand with anyone living through it, including widows whose stories contain many layers of grief. These moments in the calendar are not just symbolic; they deepen understanding, spark conversation, and remind us that grief is universal - even though its expressions are deeply personal.

JANUARY...