EPISODE · Nov 13, 2025 · 30 MIN
E36: "Don't Speak Ill of the Dead" Is B.S.—Why This Phrase Is Harmful to Grievers
from Grief Grower · host Shelby Forsythia, Grief Coach and Author
You've probably heard the phrase "don't speak ill of the dead"—but what if the person who died hurt you? I'm breaking down how this common advice silences survivors, protects harmful legacies, and makes grief harder for people with complicated losses. You'll learn: Why "don't speak ill of the dead" is outdated, harmful advice How this phrase impacts survivors of abuse, estrangement, or neglect Three real examples of truth-telling obituaries and what they reveal What to say when someone tries to silence your grief Pre-order my new book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/of-course-im-here-right-now Join me LIVE in LA (November) and Ohio (December): https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/events ... Get FREE grief workshops, quizzes, and so much more on my website: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/links Keep Grief Grower ad-free by becoming a Patreon supporter: https://www.patreon.com/shelbyforsythia Join my online course + community, Life After Loss Academy: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/life-after-loss-academy Listen to more episodes of Grief Grower, view episode transcripts, and submit a question for the show: https://www.shelbyforsythia.com/grief-grower-podcast
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E36: "Don't Speak Ill of the Dead" Is B.S.—Why This Phrase Is Harmful to Grievers
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