Death should, if the world was a more understanding place, be followed by a gentle period of re-orientation. A time to remember, reflect and recalibrate. But of course real life is not really like that. We look at why making time for self-care is so important following a bereavement.
With loved ones on our minds more than ever at this time of year, everyone has different ways of making sure that those who are no longer with us remain part of our Christmas rituals and traditions.
While it may feel painful to remember a loved one following a bereavement, there is also comfort to be found in the endless possibilities of remembering, the places it can take you, the feelings it can evoke, and with always the tantalising possibility that a time long forgotten will resurface like a delicious gift.
With one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage, the devastating effects of baby loss are all around us, yet they are often suffered in silence and not openly spoken about.
We meet Amanda German of whiteballoon.co.uk, a free online resource for funerals and end of life planning. Combining practical advice with inspiration, it has been designed both for funeral planning, and also for anyone who wants to share their own wishes with their loved ones.