Francisco Ferreira shares how writing and communication help manage grief after his father's death

Francisco Ferreira, a 19-year-old student, uses writing and sharing his experiences to cope with the death of his father, who died from cancer in August 2025. Ferreira told Agência Ecclesia that discussing sadness and avoiding the taboo of grief allows for a more meaningful experience of loss.

Ferreira, who studies applied mathematics for economics and management, noted that sharing stories about his father helps him mature and find peace. He stated that his process involves acknowledging pain rather than ignoring it, and he finds that talking about his father helps him assist others.

The student recalled his father's illness beginning when Ferreira was 11 years old. The disease caused his father to lose his vocal cords, requiring him to communicate through a button. Ferreira noted that while he initially remained detached from the severity of the illness, the reality of his father's fragility became unavoidable as the disease progressed.