Grief is heavy. Sharing joy is easy. But how do we deal with grief together?

That question occupied both of us. Anouke saw people around her 'struggling' with loss and wanted to be there for those around her who were grieving, but didn't quite know how. Mathilde felt the gap between herself as a mourner and those around her after the loss of one of her best friends, Ana. She also kept searching for an appropriate gift for the family and other friends of Ana.

​We decided to join forces. For the person who is grieving and that person's loved ones. Because it is really difficult for both! As a loved one, you want so badly to do the right thing, perhaps even a little afraid of doing the 'wrong' thing?! And as someone who is grieving, you want (you have to!) stay connected with those around you. With Stories (colloquially known as ;)), we help both struggles with products that truly help with grief.

No flowers, no candles, but colorful, lovingly made products that really help.

When one of my best friends, Ana, When she passed away unexpectedly, I felt incredibly lost. While I tried to manage my own tangle of emotions, I also did my best to be there for her family and looked for something valuable, lasting, and truly useful. I didn't want to give flowers, crystals, or candles. I wanted something that would help them and me recall and share memories. Something that would help me feel connected to her and her family and friends. That was the beginning of Stories to Cherish.

he passion and craftsmanship behind our products in this exclusive video.

The story cards and it activity book are Made with love and can help start a conversation about someone you miss. The activity book is specially designed for children—it gives them the chance to be creative while commemorating a loved one.

Liefs
Mathilde, Founder Stories to Cherish

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Hi, I am Anouke, originally from the Netherlands, and I live in Sydney with my husband Levi and our three children. Here I met Mathilde and heard about Ana's story. It was inspiring to see how Mathilde dealt with her grief by using her creativity to cherish and share memories of Ana. I saw how this brought light into her darkest days.

Inspired by Mathilde's strength and her desire to help others, I joined Stories to Cherish. I am a 'grief dummy' myself and have been fortunate enough not to have experienced a major loss yet, but I have seen how devastating loss can be for loved ones.

From my mother, who lost her sister in a car accident, I learned how important it is to talk about loss and connect with the person who is grieving. Despite my well-intentioned attempts and goals to do so, I have sometimes unintentionally avoided people during their mourning. For sharing happiness is easy, but how do you deal with grief together?

Stories to Cherish helps people like me support others in grief. Together, we commemorate the deceased, celebrate their lives, talk, ask questions, share stories, and try to bring light into times of loss.

Love,

Anouke

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