One in four or 23 per cent of bereaved adults grieve alone and don’t turn to anyone for comfort and support, according to MetLife’s The Last Word report.
National Grief Awareness Week (December 2 – December 8, 2023) aims to increase awareness of the widespread impact of grief and encourages open conversations about loss.
In the last two years, 36 per cent of UK adults experienced bereavement, with 27 per cent losing a friend, 20 per cent losing a parent, and 16 per cent losing a grandparent. But while 39 per cent sought comfort from their partner or spouse, a concerning number faced the loss without adequate support.
MetLife’s Last Word report reveals that 51 per cent of those involved in recent funeral planning were unaware of the deceased’s wishes. Additionally, 53 per cent of UK adults haven’t discussed taking responsibility for their own funeral. Among the reasons cited for avoiding such conversations, 22 per cent admitted to not wanting to think about it, while 14 per cent found it too uncomfortable to discuss. These findings underscore a widespread reluctance to address end-of-life matters, highlighting the importance of fostering open communication on the subject.
MetLife UK Head of Employee Benefits Adrian Matthews says: “Grief is a very personal experience. It can bring on a rollercoaster of emotions all while having to navigate practical decisions. The death of a loved one can be an incredibly challenging time and having nobody to turn to can make a devastating situation even more difficult.
“Grief Awareness Week highlights just how important it is to support our family, friends, colleagues when experiencing loss. Nobody should have to grieve alone and knowing where to access resources in and out the office can be a real lifeline. With simple and frequent communication to their workforce, employers can ensure employees feel supported in times of grief, have an outlet to turn to, and importantly, let them know they’re not alone.”
“At MetLife, we are committed to supporting a bigger role in helping families navigate grief. Through our latest Group Life offering, and partnership with Everest Funeral Concierge, we offer access to services to help people consider, plan, navigate and carry out funeral planning, including a free will writing service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no greater gift than getting your considerations and plans in place so that when the time comes, you allow your family more time to grieve.”
