My mum has died – and there is one kind of response I can’t stand
The platitudes, euphemisms and cliches are excruciating. But the people who say nothing at all are the worst
TL;DR
- The author has become an orphan after her mother's death, prompting reflections on grief and societal responses to it.
- She finds platitudes, euphemisms, and cliches about death to be excruciating and unhelpful.
- The author contrasts these with the worst possible reaction: complete silence from friends and acquaintances, citing Richard E. Grant's experience.
- While acknowledging that most people are trying their best and are simply awkward with death, the author finds the lack of acknowledgment of her loss deeply alienating.
- She concludes that even a humorous or argumentative interaction about grief is preferable to being ignored.