Royal London: Lost For Words

Royal London, the financial services mutual, has partnered with renowned British por-trait and fashion photographer Rankin to encourage the conversation around death with a free digital exhibition, Lost for Words, launching 16th November 2020. The subject of death seems to be on our lips now more than ever, as we continue to live through a global pandemic. We are hearing numbers, stats and data on a daily basis but it’s the harsh reality of personal loss that weighs more heavily than any facts and figures ever can. Royal London and Rankin are tackling the taboo surrounding death. They believe it’s time to change the way we think about our own mortality and the mortality of our loved ones. Lost for Words aims to encourage a vital dialogue on bereavement, to honour those we have lost and help us enjoy the time we have with those we love. Lost for Words is a moving new digital exhibition, shot by Rankin, made up of a series of photographs of people superimposed next to images of loved ones they have lost, bringing together the departed and those left behind. It also includes an interview se-ries and short film discussing the importance of talking about death and planning for the inevitable. The exhibition puts people who have experienced the loss of a loved one at its heart and it is sharing the stories of a few familiar faces: Gloria Hunniford, Ashley Walters, Konnie Huq, Malin Andersson, Divina De Campo, John Stapleton and Jeff Brazier who have joined the campaign to speak about their experience dealing with grief. Rankin will also be in conversation with people who are willing to discuss their experi-ences of grief and bereavement, some having faced loss through the global pandemic. Those who took part discussed their feelings on loss, what they learnt and how to deal with the practical and financial side of bereavement. They share what they might do differently in the future as well as what they wouldn’t change for the world.