Mourning rituals help people cope with grief, say scientists

Experts agree on importance of traditions seen after Queen's death in enabling bereaved to process loss

The death of Queen Elizabeth II has plunged the royal household and much of the country into a period of mourning, with black armbands and flags at half mast. While such traditions may seem far removed from everyday experiences of bereavement, experts say rituals can help us cope with death.

Mourning plays an important role in bereavement because it's a way of externalising the emotions and thoughts of grief and, through that, incorporating the loss into your life and beginning to heal," said Dr Lucy Selman, an associate professor in end-of-life care at the University of Bristol and the founding director of Good Grief Festival.