Mourning Before the Moment

From crows and elephants to humans, grief has many voices. This heartfelt reflection explores how animals mourn—and why we should show love while it still matters.

Have you ever observed the cawing of crows when one of them falls?

They circle the body in a quiet, unsettling formation—no hierarchy, no ceremony. Just a sharp, collective awareness that something has ended. It's as if they pause their usual chaos to pay respect to the departed.

Crows, often misunderstood, are highly sensitive and vocal. I’ve seen them rally not just for their own, but for others too. A cat carrying a dead parrot in her mouth will rush for cover—not just out of instinct, but because of the warning storm of caws and wings that follows her. The crows alert everyone—animal and human alike. They bear witness.

And they are not alone.

Elephants

Emotional giants of the animal world.When one of them dies, the herd gathers. They touch the body, linger beside it, sometimes even cover it with leaves or dirt. A quiet act of farewell—raw, physical, communal.

Dolphins

Known for their intelligence, yes. But also for their grief.They’ve been observed supporting the bodies of their dead, keeping them afloat, sometimes for hours. They make distinct sounds—different from their usual communication. Mournful. Intentional.

Chimpanzees

Not just playful observers of humans—they grieve like us too.Some sit in silence beside a fallen member. Others groom them. A few return days later, unwilling to let go completely. Their sorrow is tender, often eerily human.

Magpies

They gather, they call out, they stand vigil.Their mourning looks messy—noisy, chaotic, almost theatrical. But beneath it lies something honest: social bonding, recognition of loss, and the instinct to remember.

So what about us?

Humans, who often claim the title of the “most evolved,” also gather in grief. We hold condolence meetings. We wear black. We light candles. We speak well of the departed. We cry. We post. We remember.

But here’s the part we often skip: presence while someone is still alive.

Why wait for a eulogy to express admiration? Why offer a flower when the hand that should receive it is no longer there?

Champagne should be served while it still bubbles.Respect should be shown while the heart still beats.

I've seen animals mourn in unity, in instinct, and with startling grace. Maybe the lesson isn’t just that grief is universal—but that gratitude should be too.

Show up for people while they can still feel it.Say what needs to be said before it turns into something you wish you'd said.

P.S. If this piece reminded you of someone—or something—don’t wait. Call them. Hug them. Write the message.Or, if it brought a memory to surface, I’d love to read it.

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