No, I am not going to list every celebrity who’s passed away this year. And no, that’s not because those they aren’t missed by someone, or that they’re somehow less important. Every loss means something to someone and the truth is, people die every day. That’s a fact of life.

The Strange Public Theater of Celebrity Deaths

What continues to sit uncomfortably with me is the way some people react publicly to death, especially when it comes to well-known figures. For example, watching clips of Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession and seeing people in the comments criticize his voice, his music, his legacy, it feels like a jarring intrusion on something sacred.

Maybe it’s because I was raised with a simple rule: if you don’t have something respectful to say, especially in a moment of mourning, maybe it’s better not to say it at all.

Yes, I understand free speech. I understand that not everyone will admire the same people or hold back their thoughts. But there’s a difference between having an opinion and choosing the right time and place to express it. And in moments of grief, when others are honoring a life lost, I think that discretion matters more than ever.

Playing Devil’s Advocate With Myself

That said, I also recognize that grief isn’t always clean or noble. There are people who’ve passed, or may someday pass, whose impact on my life was painful, even traumatic. And if they had been famous, I know my opinions might’ve been loud and raw too.

There’s no rule that says death erases what was done while alive. I get that.

But what I’m learning to hold is this: the part of me that wants to speak truthfully about harm and injustice… and the part of me that wants to show grace to others in their sorrow. Those two parts can exist at once. They don’t cancel each other out. They inform each other.

Respect for the Living and the Dead

So when I see a public figure’s passing and feel compelled to comment, I try to remember—someone loved them. Someone is hurting. And even if I can’t share in their grief, I can respect their space to have it.

Grief is complicated. So is legacy. But empathy doesn’t have to be.