Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty review – startling stories from the crematorium

‘Death-positive’ mortician Doughty explores attitudes to mortality in her enthralling memoir. Also reviewed: Brandy Schillace’s Death’s Summer Coat and GP Margaret McCartney’s Living With Dying

Tips from widows – a guide to getting through the grief

Jan Robinson collected the advice from a network of widows after her husband died suddenly. The result is a funny, comforting and therapeutic handbook for bereavement

This column will change your life: what not to say

'Deep down,' Oliver Burkeman says, 'unhelpful comments are motivated not by an urge to comfort the sufferer, but the selfish desire to make matters less awkward for the consoler'

My children became my greatest teachers

Childhood trauma left Roman Krznaric emotionally withdrawn. Since then, he has tried to repair the damage and his own children have taught him how to step into someone else's shoes

My brother died of cancer, and now I can’t stop worrying I’ve got it too

I'm a medical student and am surrounded by diseases and health worries all day. This is seriously affecting my life. What should I do?

How music helps children to deal with bereavement

A charity is helping children cope with the death of a parent and express grief through writing and playing songs. Stephanie Theobald listens in

No sunlit room, no last words

As Luke Allnutt watched his father die, he thought the time for a meaningful conversation and emotional epiphany was at hand. His father had other ideas

Stillbirth: a pain left unspoken

Emma Johnston was devastated by the stillbirth of her daughter. But, she says, the support of friends and family can help parents come to terms with their grief

Why I let my husband die

Paul Anderson wanted to die. He'd been ill for years and had tried to take his life three times. The next time, his wife Jill decided to respect his wishes. And she was charged with manslaughter. Hannah Booth meets her

‘If you miscarry, there’s no way to say goodbye’

Zoe Clark-Coates lost five pre-term babies. She tells Kathy Hurst why she and her husband, Andy, set up Saying Goodbye, for grieving couples like themselves