What not to ask a grieving family

Jock Zonfrillo’s sudden death this week, is a stark reminder of one of the things you should never ask a family who are grieving and that is the circumstances of their death.

There are many questions surrounding the circumstances of Jock’s death.   Much speculation and gossip. 

Regardless of the circumstances of anyone’s death, we do not need to know this information.  The only reason we want to know is to satisfy our own natural curiosity.  It doesn’t change the fact that someone has died.      

For any family, whose loved one has died under sudden and tragic circumstances, there is a coroner’s investigation.    It can take months for the family to learn the results of this investigation.

The circumstances of someone’s death do not define who they are as a person.    

Their family needs love and support regardless of how they died.   Knowing how they died does not change our ability to reach out and offer support, regardless of the circumstances.