Abstract
Purpose – This opinion piece documents the experience of losing an adult sibling to suicide and explores the experience of personal and family grief.
Design/methodology/approach – The narrative is written from an autoethnographic perspective and utilises the current evidence base to support a personal reflection.
Findings – The paper identifies the complex nature of bereavement following death from suicide and considers those factors which support more positive outcomes for those grieving.
Research limitations/implications – The piece focuses on autoethnographic data but is supported by findings from the wider evidence base.
Practical implications – The importance of seeking positives as part of the healing process when processing complex grief.
Social implications – Disclosure has been identified as an important part of processing complex grief associated with suicide bereavement and yet suicide remains a taboo subject for many.
Originality/value – This autoethnographic piece details the experience of dealing with a sibling suicide and the importance of creating the opportunity for positive reflection to process complex grief.