Those early days, when our loved one is no longer with us, can feel like a great cosmic vacuum cleaner has sucked all the joy out of the universe. ‘Numb’ is not the word for it.

No two people experience grief in the same way. There is no textbook way to respond as we are all made differently and will deal with bereavement differently.

Nevertheless, it will help to –

• Understand what is happening to us. Why do we feel and respond the way we do? What might come next? And for how long?
• Find support – from a wise friend, to a local support group, to a national organisation to professionals for when what was tough gets far too tough.

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