1 in 2 UK adults are feeling the pressure to hide their grief this festive season

New research commissioned by St Christopher’s Hospice reveals that over the festive period, 1 in 2 (52%) of UK adults will feel the pressure to put on a brave face or hide their grief.

The main reasons cited are a preference to cope on their own (31%), because they don’t want to burden others (19%), feeling uncomfortable talking about their grief (17%), not thinking support would help them (13%) or because they worry support services are too expensive (11%).

This Christmas, we’re urging the UK public not to struggle alone. If you’re dealing with grief right now, take a look at our 5 practical tips to help support you.

Look after yourself – rest, eat well, and keep active to support your wellbeing.

Give yourself permission to grieve – don’t feel pressured about how to do this.

Express your feelings – through talking, writing, art, or other creative outlets.

Make use of the support available – whether from friends, family or your local community.

Get professional help if needed.

Beravement support from St Christopher’s

We provide specialist bereavement support to help those within St Christopher’s care cope with the emotional impact of losing a loved one. If this could be helpful for you, please reach out to us.

Fiona Walkingshaw, Head of Bereavement Services at St Christopher’s, says:

“Hospice care is so much more than managing end of life symptoms but also addressing emotional needs and enhancing quality of life. Our dedicated team work really hard all year round to help not only patients but also their friends and family achieve what matters most to them by enhancing the quality of life.

“Bereavement touches every one of us, yet grief and dying is still surrounded by stigma and misconceptions”

“Too often people feel isolated or unsure where to turn. At St Christopher’s, our teams work tirelessly to break down those barriers, offering compassionate support and creating safe spaces where individuals and families can talk openly about the changes and losses they are experiencing.

“Throughout the year and specifically over the Christmas period, we encourage everyone to both remember relatives and friends who’ve died and to find ways to share their stories and memories of them. Those people that do this, tell us how they feel better for opening up about their grief and what the person who has died means to them.”