Ideas What it means to call your loved one a ‘corpse’
May 2, 2025
Martha Baillie, a Toronto-based novelist, and Amy Lynn, a Calgary writer, explore the deeply personal rituals surrounding death and grief. Baillie shares how preparing her mother’s death mask transformed her perception of loss, making her mother's body feel alive, not a mere corpse. They discuss the bonds formed through shared grief and the significance of storytelling in navigating complex family relationships. Their reflections on memory, identity, and the intricate dance between life and death reveal the profound impact of these experiences on personal transformation.
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Intimate Rituals Shape Grief
- Martha Baillie took part in two spontaneous rituals after her mother's death: preparing a death mask and washing her body.
- These intimate acts deeply shaped her grief and connection with her mother's passing.
Corpse vs. Body Meaning
- Baillie distinguishes between calling a loved one's body a "corpse" versus a "body" due to the implications of decay.
- To her, her mother's body remains something alive despite death's physiological changes.
Language as Grief Sculptor
- Language acts like a sculpting tool to explore grief, allowing multiple perspectives on painful events.
- Deep personal details, rather than generalizations, lead readers to universal truths about grief.
