Making stories and taking stories: Methodological reflections on researching grief and marital tension following the death of a child

Abstract Some of the methodological issues which arose during an investigation into experiences of bereaved parents are explored The value of ethnographic approaches in researching intimate and painful experiences is noted. Ways in which early plans were modified and early questions reformulated during field-work are considered It is argued that parents' stories about their children's lives are central to processes of identity reconstruction during grief. The impact of audiences in the creation of these stories is examined The opportunity to 'tell it like it is' enables parents to explore painful experiences whilst maintaining a sense of control over their self-narrative.