I’ve studied the history of death. I know how we can better face up to our grief – and our own mortality | Molly Conisbee

The article reflects on how grandparents' early losses of children during their lifetimes deeply shaped their lives into adulthood, particularly into their 80s or 90s, leaving a lasting emotional toll. This experience resonates with the author as they navigate their own bereavement. It explores how past attitudes toward death were intertwined with traditions like wake celebrations and women's roles in end-of-life care. Despite modern medical advancements making death less comforting, there is a renewed interest in these traditional practices. The author argues that embracing mortality can foster deeper connections to life and loss, offering hope for more compassionate endings.