Nine in ten people agree that sensory triggers such as the smell of perfume or a song can evoke feelings of grief, research found.
A new Sue Ryder campaign aims to highlight the impact of the senses on the grieving process and encourage more open conversation.
The charity’s survey of 1,000 bereaved people found one in five experienced triggers every day.
The most common were seeing an old photograph of someone who has died, hearing their favourite song, the smell of perfume or aftershave, and seeing a place they had visited together.
Sue Ryder will today open a two-day pop-up exhibition at The Corn Exchange in Leeds showcasing items that evoke memories for supporters. Treasured objects include perfumes, hand creams, paintings and poems.
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Heidi Travis, the charity’s chief executive, said: “This campaign aims to create a space for people to explore these sensory triggers and understand their impact – not only for those grieving, but for people who would like to support their friends and family who are grieving.
“Almost 90 percent of people tell us that they feel alone in their grief, and friends and family of those grieving tell us they just don’t know what to say or do. We believe that this is the perfect storm and leaves many grieving people feeling isolated.”
Sue Ryder’s research found that support could help people cope with the feelings of grief that follow exposure to sensory triggers. Some 44 percent of respondents said a hug from a friend was helpful, while 15 percent said kindness from a stranger would make them feel better.
Ms Travis added: “By talking about these common trigger moments, we want to help start conversations around grief. Try asking your friend or loved one, ‘What reminds you most of your Mum?’ for example.
“Most people tell us they want to talk about the person who has died, so invite them to and then spend as much time as you can simply listening.”
Lisa Riley, Emmerdale star and a Sue Ryder ambassador, said: “I often have sensory memories of my wonderful mum which can trigger feelings of grief and Sue Ryder’s research shows that this is far from uncommon in the bereavement process.
“I want to encourage people caught in these moments to be able to talk about them and acknowledge how tough they can be.
“I hope that this campaign will not only help those who are grieving, but also provide a framework of understanding for those who are supporting the bereaved.”
Luke Sollitt, whose father, James, was cared for at Sue Ryder’s Wheatfield Hospice, said he was learning not to bottle up his emotions.
He said: “If at least one person can take some calm away with them and know they are not alone in their grief and the never-ending journey of missing a loved one, it’s a start.
“Grief never truly ends, despite many people think that ‘times a healer’. Grief never heals, we just battle to cope with the loss of a loved one.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
