Tullamore hospital marks National Grief Awareness Week

Both Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) and Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP) hosted awareness events last week to mark National Grief Awareness Week 2026, which runs from January 27 to February 2.

The national campaign encourages understanding of grief and highlights the supports and services available to individuals who may benefit from additional help during bereavement.

On Friday, the End of Life Care Committee in MRHT hosted an awareness day in the hospital, while on the previous Monday, MRHP held a similar event for staff, patients and visitors.

Zara Dagg, End of Life Care Coordinator, MRHT and MRHP said: “The aim of this week’s events was to raise awareness among staff and the public about grief. We provided information on the supports available to those who are grieving. Understanding grief and learning how to navigate it can be helpful for those directly experiencing loss, but also for those supporting them. National Grief Awareness Week is a compassionate and important observance dedicated to being grief aware.”

Understanding Grief

Grief is a natural response to the death of someone close. There is no set pattern for grief, and people experience it in different ways. Common emotional responses include feeling isolated, lonely, shocked, numb, helpless, angry, irritable, relieved, guilty or sad. Physical reactions may include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and poor concentration.

Family members and friends often want to help but may be unsure how. Learning more about grief can support both those who are grieving and those who wish to care for them.

Be Grief Aware. Show You Care.

• Grief is expressed and felt in different ways.

• There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

• How we experience grief depends on many factors, including coping style, relationship with the deceased and cultural practices.

• There are no stages of grief, it ebbs and flows.

• There is no time limit; grief takes the time it takes.

• Don’t assume people ‘get used’ to loss; grief in older age is still grief.

You don’t need any special skills to support someone who is grieving. A simple gesture can go a long way, such as, meeting someone for a walk, sharing a cup of tea, or offering practical help such as preparing a meal.

More information on National Grief Awareness Week and online events here