Music To Die For: New project uses music to open up conversations about grief
In partnership with Music To Die For
By Dale Fox
What does grief sound like? For some, it’s a late-night jazz record on a loop. For others, it’s the pop song they danced to on their wedding night, or the radio hit that played on the drive to hospital.
Music To Die For is a new project built on that connection – between music and memory, loss and love – and it’s asking people to share the soundtrack to their grief.
Created by clinical psychologist Dr Hazel Harrison and arts consultant Phillipa Anders, the initiative began during a Britten Pears Arts residency. Since then, it’s grown into a digital archive of personal stories told through music – a space where people can open up about who they’ve lost and the songs that still bring those people close.
The invitation is open to everyone. Whether it’s a childhood melody or a dancefloor banger, the project is collecting songs and the stories behind them, from quiet reflections to memories that still sting. The emotional weight of grief can be hard to carry, but music gives people a way to express what they’re feeling, and in some cases, start conversations that might not happen otherwise.
“We want to create a space where people can share the music that holds their stories – not just of loss, but of love, joy and connection,” says Harrison. “Grief isn’t just about sorrow; it’s about the full spectrum of emotions and memories we carry.”
Anders adds: “Music can be like time travel. It has a way of making us feel connected, even in absence, reminding us we’re not alone.”
Submissions may appear on the project’s website, across social media, or feature in future events and publications. But more than anything, it’s about offering a place for memory – and a way to talk about grief that feels natural.
To share your story, visit www.musictodiefor.co.uk/share