My fiance died unexpectedly last year. Could communal grieving help me heal?

Community of Grieving, an event held in Hobart as part of this year’s Dark Mofo festival. Photograph: Rosie Hastie

As I took my seat on the floor of Black Temple Gallery, my first thought was that Jamie would have absolutely hated this. I could see him, grunting as he sat on the floor and whispering to me, “Jesus wept, darl. We’ve paid to be sad on the floor.”

I can almost feel his cheeky smile radiating in the room. His big warm hand on my back. I smile to myself.