New bereavement booklet launched to help families get through festive season

The booklet, ‘Christmas: following a young sudden cardiac death’ which has been compiled by Alison Cox features 14 short chapters from men and women talking through their personal experience of facing the festive season when all they want to do is ignore the fun and and treat it is as any other day.

Alison Cox said: “Preparing for…Christmas is a prospect that haunts every family having to cope with the tragedy of a sudden cardiac death of a fi t and healthy young person.

‘‘Finding ways to confront and deal with this massive public event requires enormous courage.

‘‘Finding the motivation to survive it is a huge challenge for most of our bereaved families.

‘‘Whether father, mother, sibling, partner or loving friend, it produces a maelstrom of emotions that can dominate the last quarter of every year - and for the rest of their lives.’’

Since 1995, CRY has received thousands of calls from families wanting to speak to others who have suffered similar tragedies.

CRY has found that, in many cases, no matter how much professional support is offered sometimes just talking to someone who has been through a similar experience, can provide the best help.