Grief can be a complex emotion that everyone experiences differently. 

National Grief Awareness Day recognises that the time it takes to heal from the loss of a loved one doesn’t have a prescribed course or timeline and that grief impacts people differently. 

With this in mind, research from protection and employee benefits provider, MetLife UK, finds nearly a quarter (23%) of bereaved adults grieve alone and don’t turn to anyone for comfort and support: 

• Of those who did turn to a loved one, 39% turned to their partner or spouse, 23% turned to a friend/neighbour, 17% turned to their parents, and 13% turned to their child(ren). 

• Only 3% turned to their employer or boss for comfort and support during this emotional time.

• More than half (53%) of UK adults haven’t spoken to anyone about taking on the responsibility of planning their funeral when they are no longer here. 

• Almost a third (31%) of those who have experienced bereavement and funeral planning, say planning a funeral added stress to what was already a very difficult and upsetting time.

• When it comes to experiencing loss while working, a third of UK adults (32%) say they were given some paid time off, while one in five (19%) confirmed their employer was supportive, and they could take up to two weeks off to grieve.

• It's important that employers create a supportive atmosphere for employees so they feel more comfortable discussing their experiences and accessing the resources they need after experiencing a bereavement. 

• Half (54%) of adults say they are aware of support provided by their employer when a loved one passes away, though almost a third (31%) admit to not knowing what level of support their employer provides to them

Adrian Matthews, Head of Employee Benefits at MetLife UK added: “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 Day highlights just how important it is to support our family, friends, colleagues when experiencing loss. This is an important initiative that aims to encourage open conversations about grief and loss, something that many people need support with, both in and out of the workplace. With simple and frequent communication of the resources available, employers can ensure their employees are fully supported in times of grief, have an outlet to turn to, and most 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 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. 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.”