At first this is only a one sided exchange..where often Evie's nervousness only dissipates when she becomes immersed in her 'quilling craft'. Slowly through the use of technology, Evie and Oren develop a relationship that evolves despite Evie frequently exclaiming "I don't have any friends. And that's just the way I like it." p. 64. If you’re attending a funeral you may have to introduce yourself to family members or friends of whoever died. Use these alternative words to be express your condolences for their loss. Sorry for your Loss’ tells the story of Kate Marshall, who has spent the last year working at a mortuary. It recounts her experiences, particularly memorable patients and how the COVID-19 pandemic changed her job, and her perspective on it, forever. It is in this setting that Evie strikes up a particular relationship with a survivor of a car accident .. someone her age....Oren Katzman.

Whilst “I’m sorry for your loss” is overused there is a reason for that. It is the simplest and most concise way of expressing our sorrow for the pain someone is going through. A poignant, personal exploration of grief… Gachman perceptively puts words to the uncomfortable realities of loss and deconstructs its social myths, helping readers feel less alone. Those facing loss will find solace here.— Publishers WeeklyA bit gruesome were hospital porters going around the wards asking the nurses how many deaths they expected that night, as the space in the fridges had to be planned. I don’t want to be cheesy and say that grief can bring meaning to your life, because I’d rather have my mom and sister any day of the week and have a meaningless life. But through writing the book and talking to so many people and hearing so many stories, I’ve learned that those connections are something that I seek out and that I really appreciate. Hearing another person’s story helps me; I can just meet somebody and immediately be like, “Oh, I get it. My feelings aren’t the same, and our grief isn’t the same, but we get each other.” If I’m going to take anything from [this experience], I think that’s very helpful. I hope others seek that out too.

It is a lovely, slow, enlightening book written with great compassion, on what goes on in the basement of hospitals. It is where very many of us will end up, though absolutely no-one would choose to. But we will. My favorite part of Judaism is our life cycle events. The bris or kiddush to mark a new birth. The bnei mitzvahs. The weddings. Unfortunately, those celebrations of life come hand in hand with our traditions surrounding death - fast burial followed by seven days of sitting shiva for the mourners and the unveiling of the headstone a year later. Even as a kid, I’d been to my fair share of shivas. It felt strangely grown up to take my dutiful place among the comforters sitting with the mourners and bringing them food. But that's how Judaism rolls. Our kids are full participants. This book takes you behind the scenes at a mortuary in a Northern Teaching Hospital. The author isn't a pathologist; she doesn't do postmortems-she assists behind the scenes-e.g. with family viewings of bodies, removing pacemakers etc. The book is a month by month account, e.g. May 2019, June 2019, July 2019, August 2019 etc., which suits me as I like diary format. I can’t imagine the depth of your grief. Please know I’m thinking of you and your family during this tragic time. Each time I read through my highlighted passages, I think, “Yes—that’s exactly right.” Maybe because my own mother’s death is still fresh, and Kate put many of my emotions into words. Here are some that I found especially meaningful.

Kate, and all other medical professionals who worked tirelessly during the pandemic knowing they were putting themselves at risk, are heroes - and this book was incredible. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. If I could find a way to take away your pain, I would move heaven and earth to do so. That is my greatest wish at this difficult time.

What comes after the hardest thing in the world? Joanne Levy answers this question the way a ten-year-old needs it to be answered. Sorry For Your Loss is funny, moving, deeply researched, deeply felt and, above all, hopeful. Deceptively simple and simply marvelous.” — Adam Gidwitz, author of the Newbery Honoree,The Inquisitor’s TaleI am the same age as Kate with similarly aged children and my thoughts have turned more to my death since Covid has come to town. My parents have also aged rapidly over the last few years and how I honour them in death, mixing their wishes with my own is very poignant. Kate is absolutely correct when she says we need to talk about death more in our culture and normalise it. It has just occurred to me that while I have full funeral instructions for one of my parents, the other hasn’t even mentioned whether they want to be buried or cremated. That is the paradox that Evie, our aspiring junior funeral director, faces when she agrees to spend time with Oren, a recently orphaned boy whose parents funeral has taken place at her parents funeral home. Oren seems so much like a regular boy as they hang out and do regular kid stuff that it is easy to forget his parents have just died. Until something reminds them both of why he is there. Because grief has a way of sneaking up on people. I know I speak for all who knew your brother/sister when I say they were one of the most incredible people you could hope to meet. Their loss will be devastating to so many While it may not feel that way now, your incredible strength will help guide you through your grief as you mourn the loss of your loved one.