Don’t shy away from the language of loss | Brief letters

Words of condolence | Autumn versus winter | More fitting names Polly Hudson writes about how people don’t know what to say to the bereaved (26 August). Trust me, the bereaved don’t either. My parents died in a car crash. I watched people sheer away in absolute mind-numbing embarrassment, not because they didn’t care, but because they were afraid they would make it worse. Well, you can’t make it worse, trust me. And we’re not looking for poetry. A simple “I’m sorry for your loss” is perfect.Isobel CassidyArdtrasna, County Sligo, Ireland• It seems appropriate to write about grief following a bereavement to thank the fellow Guardian letter writers who have contacted me via the letters editor. Their kind words have really helped me over the last few weeks, and are read and reread on a regular basis. Ian GrieveGordon Bennett, Llangollen canal Continue reading...