In the latest episode of On the Marie Curie Couch, Samantha Giles sits down with bereavement expert Jason Davidson.
This month, Jason is joined by Samantha Giles. Samantha is an actress best known for portraying Bernice Blackstock in ITV's Emmerdale. She's also starred in Where The Heart Is and Hollyoaks. Samantha is also an author, having written two fiction books for children. In this episode of the podcast, Samantha talks to Jason about the recent death of her uncle Dennis and how that's prompted thoughts and conversations about her parents' mortality.
Content note: discussion of death and grief with reference to themes/topics that might be triggering or upsetting.
Always too soon
"[Uncle Dennis dying] feels like it's marked the end of my childhood, which is ridiculous because I'm 52. But different people are significant in parts of your life for whatever reason. Yes, it's a lot of very happy memories tied up with him. But also, that kind of devastation. He was a very good age, nearly 89, but actually it doesn't matter what age somebody gets to in the end. It's still always too soon when they go."
Leave instructions
"[My uncle] left no instructions whatsoever, so it was a nightmare for his children to work out what to do. But it was very beautifully done. I said to my parents, 'You really must give us a clue because I want it to be something, hopefully a long time away, but things that you want.' Then my dad said, 'Well actually, I'd like this song...'"
Listen now
Tap the link near the top of this page to listen to Samantha's chat with Jason.
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If you need support with bereavement or grief, call the Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or visit mariecurie.org.uk/information.
