29/07/2026
One of the things I learn again and again as a celebrant is that grief is rarely straightforward.
Today’s news of Glen Hansard’s death has reminded me of that.
For many, his music marked milestones, heartbreaks, road trips, weddings and ordinary Tuesday evenings. His songs became woven into people’s lives, and the sadness people feel today is real. I once stood through an almost 4-hour gig in Whelans, after winning tickets on Today FM where the crowd were wondering how many verses there actually are in The Auld Triangle after bout 15 verses.
For others, today may feel much more complicated. Sometimes the person we mourn leaves behind not only a remarkable legacy, but difficult questions too.
As celebrants, we often witness this truth at funerals. A person’s life can contain generosity and flaws, kindness and hurt, joy and pain. Holding those truths together doesn’t diminish anyone’s grief; it simply honours the complexity of being human.
Today, my thoughts are with everyone who loved Glen Hansard and with his family as they navigate an unimaginable loss. They are also with anyone finding today unexpectedly difficult for reasons that may never be spoken aloud.
There is room for compassion without pretending life is simple. There is room for grief without insisting it looks the same for everyone. 🙏🏻
📸 courtesy of Irish Independent page.
