Dealing with grief - Daily Mirror

Siblings often share ‘load’ when it comes to their parents – when one parent is ill or struggling for example, siblings distribute not only the logistics of dealing with this, but also the emotional strain, amongst themselves. When a sibling dies, we experience the loss and sadness of not only losing our close ally, but it can also be a catalyst to confronting our own mortality. This can serve as a very stark, and at times, unwelcome reminder of how fleeting life is. It is true that no parent should ever have to bury a child, and it is of course, tragic when a child loses a parent too young, but in all of this, we often forget that siblings of the deceased may also be experiencing acute grief. Unfortunately, it is all too common that it is the siblings that are left to deal with all the practical arrangements. While it occurs to kindly friends to check in with bereaved parents and even offer support with the likes of cooking and errands, siblings might be overlooked. Siblings should not be afraid of leaning on their own support network, be that friends, partners or other family members. If you’ve lost a sibling, whether you need help with arrangements, support with your parents, or just someone to talk to, let your nearest and dearest come alongside you and help you through this difficult time.