No matter how someone died, a loss is a painful loss

The reality is that many people know someone who died from an overdose or have a family member who passed away unexpectedly. These losses, regardless of the cause, bring deep pain that resonates through families and communities.

The pain of loss transcends circumstances

Losing a loved one, whether to addiction, illness, or accident, is always devastating. As Terry Pluto reflects:

"No matter how someone died, a loss is a painful loss."

This truth highlights the universal nature of grief—it is not the cause of death that defines the weight of sorrow, but the absence left behind.

Grief and faith

For many, faith can provide solace in the face of such overwhelming loss. The journey through grief often involves grappling with questions about life, death, and meaning. Faith communities offer support and a framework to understand and process this suffering.

Supporting those who suffer loss

Recognizing that every loss is significant helps foster compassion toward those grieving, especially when stigma surrounds the cause of death. Offering empathy rather than judgment is crucial in supporting healing.

Every loss carries profound pain that deserves acknowledgment and compassion, no matter its origin.

cleveland.com on MSN — 2025-12-06