Dying Matters Awareness Week: The Culture of Dying Matters - And So Does Grief

The culture we live in influences our grief in subtle but powerful ways

At Grief Specialists, we know that grief doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s shaped by the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours of the people and systems around us. That’s why this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week (5–11 May 2025) theme, “The Culture of Dying Matters,” is especially important.

Culture defines how we talk about death - or whether we talk about it at all. It affects how people are supported when someone is dying, how families grieve, and how communities respond to loss.

When the culture around dying is silent, uncomfortable or dismissive, it can leave people feeling alone and emotionally unprepared. But when the culture is open, compassionate, and informed, it can ease suffering and support healing.

The Hidden Influence of Culture on Grief

The culture we live in influences our grief in subtle but powerful ways. For example:

• Are we allowed to talk about the person who died, or are we expected to “move on”?

• Is grief seen as a normal process, or as a weakness or problem to be solved?

• Are we given space to express emotion, or pressured to keep it together?

• These cultural messages can either support or suppress the natural human experience of grief.

  
  

At Grief Specialists, we often work with people who feel confused or overwhelmed, not only by their loss, but by the expectations placed on them after the loss.

They ask, "Am I grieving wrong?" or "Is it normal to still feel this way?" These questions aren’t a reflection of their grief - they’re a reflection of the culture around it.

Why Changing the Culture of Dying Matters

When we change the culture of dying, we change the experience of grieving. A culture that normalises end-of-life conversations, that values emotional honesty, and that offers genuine support - not just sympathy cards - makes a real difference.

We believe this cultural change starts with small, courageous actions:

• Talking openly about death, dying, and loss.

• Creating spaces for grief to be acknowledged without judgment.

• Educating ourselves and others about what healthy grief looks and feels like.

What We’re Doing For Dying Matters Awareness Week

During Dying Matters Awareness Week 2025, Grief Specialists is amplifying conversations around grief culture. Through articles, and conversations with professionals and the public, we’re asking:

• What would a healthier grief culture look like?

• How can we each play a role in shifting the way we respond to loss?

• What assumptions or messages about grief do we need to challenge?

It Starts with Us

If the culture around dying is going to change, it won’t come from institutions alone - it will come from us. From the way we speak to each other. From how we listen to those who are grieving. From how we prepare for our own endings and support others through theirs.

The culture of dying matters. So does the culture of grief.

Let’s keep talking.