When Someone Dies Long Before Their Time

When someone dies, what feels like, long before their time, the grief stages of denial, anger & bargaining can feel particularly long & challenging.

It is quite normal for people in shock & grief to frequently ask of themselves or of others: “what if...”

This period of looking for answers, when there may be none, can be turned onto others as anger, it can be turned onto themselves as feelings of guilt & self-loathing.

What is important is that friends, family & professionals supporting the bereaved, recognise this and are patient with it. Especially with children, people experiencing grief should be encouraged to ask any questions they may have going round in their mind. It is equally ok to tell people that sometimes we don’t have answers & may never have answers to some of their questions.