In the past couple of months, there have been numerous high-profile celebrity deaths.
Betty White and John Madden passed away in the final days of 2021, while January marked the deaths of Sidney Poitier, Bob Saget, Meat Loaf and Louie Anderson, to name a few.
While the general public may have no personal connection to these late celebrities, an American psychologist says that the mourning process is still very real.
Keith Edmonds, an instructor of psychology at the University of Toledo, says the deaths of celebrities, just like those of any other, can highlight the fragility and unpredictability of life.
He says whether it’s actors, musicians or athletes, we invite these people into our homes on a regular basis, causing their death to impact us in much the same way as that of a family member or friend.
In fact, Edmonds says depending on our family dynamic, we may know more about or feel more connected to a celebrity, therefore making their death much more real.
(Keith Edmonds. Photo via University of Toledo.)
He says part of what differs about celebrity deaths is the fact we are “bombarded” with information over and over again via media coverage.
We are constantly reminded of their passing not just on the day that it happens, but in the weeks, months and years that follow.
Edmonds explains that part of what can make the death of a celebrity so difficult is that we often associate them with our own identity.
Edmonds says it feels like celebrities are frozen in time, adding that in the case of Betty White, it almost seemed as though she never aged, despite being nearly 100 years old at the time of her death.
Further, he says, the way in which a celebrity passes away can cause us to draw comparisons to those in our lives, explaining that if a celebrity dies in a tragic way, it reminds us of those around us who passed away in a similar manner.
As far as how to mourn in a healthy way, Edmonds suggests taking a step back from media content in order to decompress.
He recommends doing things you like to do that don’t involve thoughts about the individual, only returning to them when you feel mentally prepared to do so.
