COPING WITH A SUDDEN DEATH

When a loved one or celebrity dies, it can trigger feelings of shock, disbelief and anger. Grief experts share their advice

- LEBBY EYRES

Liam Payne’s tragic and untimely death has sent shock waves around the world. Fans who grew up with One Direction and followed their every move will be struggling with feelings of grief, not dissimilar to those felt when Diana, the former Princess of Wales died. For others, the news of such an unexpected death may trigger or reawaken feelings of grief for a personal loss.

How do we cope with such feelings when someone dies in this way – whether it’s a family member or a much-loved celebrity? OK! spoke to two grief experts to find out what emotions people can expect to feel, why they are valid, and how to break the news to younger children of the death of a loved one, such as a parent.

Grief and emotional recovery coach Dipti Solanki (diptisolanki.com) says those who are shocked by the death of someone in the public eye should remember their feelings are very real. She says, “Grieving a public figure has layers of complexity. There’s the collective grief people feel. But also, that person will have punctuated different eras of your life and things you have gone through, especially in terms of their music. It feels like you have a very personal relationship with them – and you do, because they mean something to you.

“A lot of people will think they don’t deserve to feel the grief, and they’re sometimes surprised by the depth of grief they feel. But it’s important for people to acknowledge their grief is real.”