Why We Need to Normalize Talking About Grief

Yesterday, I went to the doctor for my annual wellness exam. The routine was familiar - the nurse came in first to take my vitals and ask about my medical history. Then she asked "What do you do for work?"

I told her I was a Grief Coach, helping people - primarily widows - process and move through their grief.
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She paused. Her eyes welled up with tears and she shared her own story about losing both of her parents.

For a few minutes, we talked about life and loss. I listened as she shared her memories and her grief. And before she left the room, she thanked me - not for giving advice, but simply for allowing her to share her story.

It was another powerful reminder that grief exists in every room, and in every conversation, we aren’t having.

Grief is everywhere, yet so many people feel they can’t talk about it. There’s an unspoken discomfort around loss, many people don’t know what to say, and as a result, grieving individuals are left feeling isolated.

I’ve noticed that when I mention what I do for a living, it immediately opens a door. People who might never openly discuss their grief suddenly feel safe enough to share their vulnerability. It’s as if they’ve been waiting for permission to talk about their loss.

And that’s why we need to normalize conversations about grief.

What Happens When We Talk About Grief?

When we give people the space to talk about grief, something powerful happens:

• We create understanding and empathy. Grief is a universal experience, yet it’s rarely discussed in a meaningful way. By talking about it, we foster connection instead of isolation.
• We help eliminate guilt and shame. Many people feel pressure to grieve in private or on a certain timeline. But there is no “right” way to grieve. Talking about loss reminds people that they are not broken, and their grief is not something to hide.
• We allow healing to take place. Grief doesn’t just go away when it’s ignored. It lingers, often turning into deeper pain and loneliness. But when we share our grief, we lighten the emotional burden and allow space for healing.
  
  

Bringing Grief Back into the Conversation
I wish I could have worn a sign on my head after my husband died that said, "My husband just died." Maybe people would have understood why I cried in the grocery store or why I wasn’t up for small talk.

We don’t wear mourning clothes like people did in the past, signaling to others that we are grieving. But that doesn’t mean grief has disappeared, it just happens more privately now.

I think we need to change that.

We don’t have to force people to talk about grief if they’re not ready, but we can create a world where those who want to share feel safe doing so.

We can:

• Listen without judgment when someone shares their loss.
• Ask about their loved one and invite them to share memories.
• Acknowledge their pain instead of avoiding the topic.
• Be patient with those who are grieving, even when we don’t fully understand.
  
  

How Can We Normalize Grief Conversations?
If we truly want to support those who are grieving, we need to change how we talk about loss and create a space to do so.

What do you think? How can we make it easier for people to talk about grief? I’d love to hear your thoughts.