All Grief articles
-
Regular Columnists
'Comfort those who mourn' is the calling of every Christian
It’s sometimes easier to feed someone than grieve with them, says Natalie Williams. But Jesus asks us to do both
-
Real Life
‘I encountered God through Psalm 23 in the midst of my cancer treatment’
When Alex MacDougall was diagnosed with cancer, his world fell apart. In the depth of painful treatment and uncertainty, he had a radical encounter with God. Here, he tells the story of how a psalm set to music brought him peace and hope
-
Opinion
The two most misused Bible verses on mental health
The Bible doesn’t forbid Christians from grieving. Neither does it teach that you should never feel anxious, argues Rachel Newham. This mental health awareness week, she takes a fresh look at the scriptures we most often misunderstand
-
Real Life
'Two of my friends just died, and I’m devastated. But I know God understands'
Prayer is central in all that we do but at times of agony it matters more than ever, says Michael Coren
-
Real Life
‘Losing my wife led me to people with leprosy’
When Jonny’s wife Rachel died suddenly, aged just 39, the grace of God and the support of his local church community carried him and their three young boys through the darkest days of their life. Now he’s working to ensure that those with leprosy get the same support
-
Opinion
Half of people no longer want a funeral. It’s a worrying trend
Less than half of people want a funeral when they die according to the latest research. But in moving away from looking death in the face, we may be hindering our long-term healing, says Yvonne Tulloch
-
Magazine Features
God, grief and a month on the farm
When Miranda Adderley was told that her unborn grandson was unlikely to survive outside the womb, she organised a countryside retreat for her family. Together, they processed their grief in the beauty of nature, and slowly learned to see the goodness of God again
-
Opinion
I’m a Christian. How can I best love my friends who have lost a baby?
When a baby dies, it causes pain in so many ways. Dan Martin and his wife, Anna, lost their son, Jed, when he was just three weeks old. He explains how the Church can help those who are bereaved
-
Opinion
It’s now possible to attend your own funeral…but should you?
What does it means to commemorate a life of someone who is still alive – and is it healthy for those who are dying, or those left behind? As Dawn French reprises her Vicar of Dibley character as part of a 'living funeral' at Truro Cathedral, and some speak of putting the “fun” back in “funerals”, Yvonne Tulloch explores the ethical questions
-
Opinion
Why hymns at funerals are making a comeback
Two hymns made it into this year’s top ten list of songs played at funerals – for the first time in seven years. Rev Cassius Francis reflects on the resurgence of religious songs, and what our music choices can mean at such a difficult time
-
Opinion
The Bible doesn’t gloss over grief, and neither should we
When Amanda Held Opelt suffered a season of loss - including three miscarriages and the death of her sister, Rachel Held Evans - she was confronted with sorrow she didn’t know to how face. Why do so many Christians insist on an immediate, redemptive story arc when they experience suffering?
-
Opinion
Prince Harry is hurting. Christians need to show compassion
Prince Harry has been vilified for his tell-all memoir, but Rev Canon Yvonne Richmond Tulloch says Christians should show compassion for a man processing unresolved grief
-
Opinion
Conflict within a family is hard for everyone – William and Harry are no exception
As the publication of Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare continues to generate headlines, the Royal Family have thus far not spoken out. But behind the scenes, relationships must be strained. Emma Fowle offers some advice
-
Thank God it's Monday
God’s Undertakers: ‘We constantly pray that families encounter God’s peace in their grief’
The Church is made up of Christians from a myriad of different professions, and yet ordinary tales of God at work rarely get told. In this series, we bring you stories of faith on the frontline
-
Opinion
Official mourning for the Queen is over, but her family still need our prayers
When the funeral finishes, the toughest part of the bereavement journey is often only just starting. Here’s how churches can support those struggling with grief
-
Magazine Features
How the Queen’s death is revealing ‘latent spirituality’ in the UK
As a nation mourns, deeply Christian longings are coming to the surface. Perhaps our country isn’t as secular as we’ve assumed, wonders Bishop Graham Tomlin
-
Opinion
As the Queen’s funeral approaches, here’s why we need it
The function of the funeral is as vital to state as it is to the individual, says George Pitcher. Here’s how it helps us in our grief
-
Opinion
Our nation is experiencing widespread grief, loss and ‘death denial’. Here’s how the Church can help
The Queen’s death comes during turbulent times and hard on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the Church can help society heal, says Rev Canon Yvonne Richmond-Tulloch
-
Interviews
Rev Richard Coles on grief, death and what heaven looks like
Having lost his husband David to alcoholic liver disease, Rev Richard Coles is set to explore grief in a new Channel 4 documentary. He tells Sam Hailes that bereavement never caused him to doubt his faith and argues it's a mistake to hold funerals that celebrate a person's life
-
Real Life
Like Ronaldo, I lost a son. At first I wanted to scream at God. But now my faith is stronger
When Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announced the death of their baby, it brought back memories for Ian O’Reilly, whose own son, Tristan, died days after being born at Shrewsbury Hospital. 22 years later, his faith has been tested and refined by his grief, but is stronger for it