Living Loss at Work: Grief Beyond Death

“I didn’t lose her overnight. I’ve been losing her in pieces — every time she forgets my name or gets lost on her street, even in her own house. And I still have to show up to meetings, answer emails, lead my team... like nothing is happening. My boss knows, but it doesn't change my deliverables or how I want to be seen at work. So much has changed in my personal world. I don't feel like I'm even the same person anymore.”

This is what one executive shared when speaking about their mother’s progressing dementia. There was no funeral, no formal moment to grieve — yet the emotional weight was immense. And it followed them into work every day.

Grief doesn’t only arrive with death. It shows up quietly and persistently in moments of living loss — when a parent’s memory fades, when a partner changes due to chronic illness, when a child is diagnosed with a life-altering condition, or when a family must navigate aged care with all its logistical and emotional complexity.

"I know for me, I learned acutely about living loss when my grandparents health started failing. These people were my world, even as an adult. So to see my grandpa lose his licence, have stumbles, forget things, become emotional - was heartbreaking. The next step was aged care and for four long years he lived this life. Always wanting to come home, but not being able to. I wasn't able to call him for a chat, but was there a lot. The man, the rock of my life, who'd always been there for me in so many ways, was apologising to me because he now needed help.

This was a living loss, not just for myself, but also for him. He knew and recognised his decline. He mourned his life and his ending - something he had been fearful of, now was a reality. But I turned up to work, I 'soldiered' on like so many do, acting like the world was ok, when in fact, nothing was ok anymore."

Dementia Prevalence in Australia (Ages 65–85)

According to the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare and Dementia Australia

• In 2023, approximately 411,000 Australians were living with dementia. ​

• In the 2021–22 period, there were approximately 242,000 people living in permanent residential aged care in Australia.

• Of these residents, about 54% (approximately 131,000 individuals) were living with dementia

• High-level care for dementia patients typically includes 24-hour nursing care, personal care services, and support from allied health professionals.

  
  

Global Dementia Prevalence

• According to the World Health Organisation, as of 2021, an estimated 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia.

• Projections indicate that this number will rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050, driven by global population aging

  
  

The silent strain in our workplaces with living loss

These experiences are common, but rarely spoken about at work. Employees are expected to compartmentalise, to remain “professional”, to keep performing. Yet research shows that grief — acknowledged or not — directly impacts performance, wellbeing, and decision-making.

The gaps we need to close

Currently, workplace bereavement policies focus narrowly on death. But what about the long goodbye of dementia? Or the strain of caring for a partner with terminal illness? Or navigating family conflict during major transitions?

Many organisations rely on informal support or manager discretion, which leads to inconsistency, inequity, and missed opportunities to truly lead.

Introducing the Global Bereavement Leadership Index

The Global Bereavement Leadership Index (GBLI), an initiative led by Amanda Lee of Blaze Coaching, is designed to:

• benchmark how organisations worldwide support employees experiencing grief (in all its forms),

• identify gaps in current policies and practices, and

• accelerate global momentum towards compassionate, effective leadership in times of loss.

It is grounded in the belief that grief literacy is a leadership capability — and the future of sustainable workplace culture depends on it.

These statistics underscore the significant impact of dementia on individuals, families, and healthcare systems both in Australia and globally. They highlight the importance of initiatives like the Global Bereavement Leadership Index (GBLI) in addressing the challenges associated with dementia care and support.

Why this matters now

The global workforce is ageing. Dementia diagnoses are rising. Family structures are changing. And with hybrid work blurring the lines between personal and professional life, grief is no longer something that can be left at the door.

Workplaces that lead with compassion are not only doing what’s right — they are future-proofing their cultures.

Let’s do better, together.

If your organisation has a policy, practice, or lived experience to contribute, you can share your insights by registering your interest in the GBLI here:👉 Bereavement Index Registration | Blaze Coaching

The Index will be released on World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025.