It’s National Grief Awareness Week, and honestly, it’s such an important time to pause and think about how we talk about grief. Because here’s the thing: grief is one of the most natural human experiences, yet so much of what we believe about it is shaped by myths.
And those myths? They can make people feel pressured, misunderstood, or even more alone, right when they need compassion the most.
Myth 1: “Grief lasts a few months and then you are fine”
Truth: Nope. Grief doesn’t come with an expiry date or finish line. There’s no magic point where someone “should be over it.” The duel process model of grief helps to explain that many of us will bounce back and forth between good days and bad days, loss and restoration sometimes – find out more about this from our friends at St Michaels Hospice.
Truth: Looks can be deceiving. Many people put on a brave face, especially at work. Just because someone seems okay doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling inside. A simple check-in can mean the world. Not sure how to start the conversation? Check out our Language of loss guide.
Myth 3: “Talking about the person who died makes things worse.”
Truth: Actually, a lot of grieving people want to hear their loved one’s name. It shows that person still matters and keeps their memory alive. Don’t be afraid to say “I would love to hear more about your dad/mum/sister/partner, have you got a favourite memory you would like to share”
Myth 4: “Keeping busy will help you move on.”
Truth: For some people, distraction might help for a little while. But we understand that grief is living and breathing, and keeping busy doesn’t replace the emotional work of grieving. People come to grief in their own time, but we all eventually need space to feel, reflect, and process our loss.
Myth 5: “You can tell when someone is grieving because they will be crying”
Truth: Grief doesn’t show up in one way, it shows up in many and that is entirely unique to the person who living through that loss. Grief can show up for us emotionally, physically, cognitively, behaviourally and spiritually – find out more about what grief might look like here.
Why Busting These Myths Matters
When we understand the realities about grief, we show up better for people. We take away the pressure, offer real support, and create spaces where people don’t have to hide how they feel.
Want to Help Spread the Word?
For National Grief Awareness Week, we’ve created a FREE Grief Myth Busters poster. Pop it up in your workplace or share it with your team—it’s a simple way to remind everyone that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to grief.
