We have invited some friends back to write a second guest blog for the website. Our contributors are Helen Lawson and Sophia Lucop-Leech from Inspired Goodbyes. 
Bereavement cards just got personal In the aftermath of my brother’s death I remember feeling happy every time a bereavement card came through the door. Whether the giver of that card stopped for a cup of tea or whether they didn’t want to intrude, the fact that so many people were thinking of us made me a little bit better. It helped pass the time too, which goes so slowly after such awful news. If those cards had contained a memory or a story about my brother that I didn’t already know, I imagine they might have even brought a smile to our faces at a time when our hearts were broken. The death of a loved one, friend or family member is a horrible experience but it does happen. Why, then, is this major 
life event over-looked on our high streets? I’ve been told it’s because this subject is still taboo, but why? No one wants to have to buy a bereavement card but when we do, we should be faced with a decent choice. Even the big boys of retail often only have a handful to pick between. And they are all a little bit the same. Well, we think it’s high time bereavement cards and gifts had a more prominent position in our shops. This is why we have decided to do something about it. www.inspiredgoodbyes.co.uk recently launched a new range of bereavement cards. Words like ‘With sympathy’ or ‘deepest condolences’ simply don’t mean enough anymore. Our innovative range of bereavement cards are designed to encourage the sender to share a memory from a happier time with words like ‘Let me tell you something about your lovely mum…’, ‘Did I ever tell you about the time…’ and ‘it’s not fair’ because it isn’t fair and sometimes it’s okay to say it. We understand that these cards won’t be for everyone. If you think a more traditional card works for a particular family or friend then that’s okay. We just want to give people choice. My memory of receiving cards at a difficult time is a good one because warm words work wonders when you’re hurting. With the new Inspired Goodbyes range bereavement cards just got personal and there’s not a ‘with sympathy’ in sight.
