Whether someone you know has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or you have had sudden and unexpected news of someone’s death, this is shocking. The topic of grief and loss makes many people very uncomfortable and avoidant. It can be so “taboo”, that even emergency room and trauma physicians are uncomfortable talking with families about a loved one’s death. Having worked in the Grief Program at the Contra Costa Crisis Center, I know just how frightening and devastating it can be for people to have to cope with the threat of losing someone close to them.