For Dying Matters Week 2025 (5th – 11th May), Bereavement and Spiritual Support Services Lead at the Hospice, Amalabandhu Chandler, shares some thoughts around this year’s topic, The Culture of Dying Matters.
deeply painful. At times, it might even feel like no one else could possibly understand. But grief is something every culture, every community, and every person will face in their lifetime. During Dying Matters Week, we’re reminded that talking about death and loss is not only okay, it’s important. Sharing and understanding how different people experience grief can help us feel less alone.
In many Western societies, grief is often hidden. People may feel pressure to stay strong, return to work quickly, or keep their feelings private. But around the world, there are many different, meaningful ways people express sorrow, remember loved ones, and honour the process of mourning.
For example, in Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a joyful and colourful celebration of those who have died, where families create altars, cook favourite foods, and share memories. In some African and Asian cultures, mourning includes music, dancing, and storytelling. This doesn’t lessen the depth of emotions felt when someone dies but creates a space for grief to be shared rather than carried alone.
Spiritual and religious beliefs can also offer comfort and understanding around death. In Christianity and Islam, there’s often hope in an afterlife, and rituals such as prayer, memorials, and designated mourning periods provide structure in a time that can feel chaotic. In Buddhism, death is seen as a transition rather than an end, with practices focused on calm, presence, and compassion. Many faiths, including Hinduism and Sikhism, use rituals like lighting candles or scattering ashes to honour the soul’s journey.
These practices, whether community-based or personal, can ease some of the pain of grief. Rituals give us a way to adapt, remember, and connect to those we’ve lost. Even simple things like lighting a candle, writing a letter, visiting a grave, or looking at photos can become meaningful moments of reflection and healing.
There’s no right way to grieve. Some people cry, others don’t. Some want to talk, some need quiet. Grief might change from day to day or come in waves when we least expect it. What matters is knowing that your grief is valid, and you are not alone.
This Dying Matters Week, we gently invite you to share your story, your memories, and your feelings in whatever way feels right for you. Grief is part of love, and talking about it helps us heal.
