Lottie Tomlinson shares her heartbreak after mum and sister’s deaths and urges people to do one thing

Lottie Tomlinson has opened up about how two close family bereavements shattered her life and led to her campaigning for change.

The 27-year-old mum lost her own mother Johannah Deakin to leukaemia in 2016 and younger sister Fizz to an accidental overdose three years later.

Her own experience has led to her becoming an ambassador for palliative care and bereavement charity Sue Ryder, to encourage people to speak more openly about death.

Mum-of-two Lottie said: ‘I know from my own experience just how overwhelming grief can be.

‘My mum got ill unexpectedly, and she never wanted to approach the subject that she wasn’t going to make it.

‘There were a lot of unanswered questions after she died that we didn’t know.

You’re already dealing with so much, and not knowing what your loved one would have wanted at the end of their life only adds to that weight.

‘Having those conversations might feel uncomfortable, but they can make such a difference – giving the people you love reassurance, clarity, and a sense of closeness when it matters most.’
Sue Ryder has been running The Cab Fare-well , in London and Manchester this week, offering free taxi rides with an unusual twist – the only ‘fare’ passengers are invited to pay is an open conversation about their end-of-life wishes.

Entrepreneur Lottie, who is the half-sister of One Direction ’s Louis Tomlinson , added: ‘I love what Sue Ryder is doing with its The Cab Fare-well campaign, and I hope the service helps people consider why it is important to have these conversations – I know it has for me.’
The initiative was launched after it emerged that death remains the last taboo, with 47% saying they would rather talk about it with barbers, cabbies or personal trainers than their own family.

People said it was easier to speak to who someone who isn’t directly affected (27%) and that emotional distance helped them be more honest (24%).

The Cab Fare-well drivers were trained by Sue Ryder’s experts and palliative care nurses, to guide discussions about death.

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James Sanderson, chief executive at Sue Ryder, added: ‘Talking to your loved ones about what matters most to you before you die isn’t morbid, it’s a lasting act of love that brings comfort to everyone when the time comes.

‘The small, everyday details that make you who you are, like your taste in music or clothing, cultural practices, or whether you want your pets with you until the end, become so important in ensuring you have the best possible quality of life.

‘The Cab Fare-well exists to break that silence and help people feel more confident starting the conversation.

It’s never too early to have the conversation.’
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You can find out more about how to speak to loved ones about end of life wishes by downloading the charity’s Your Death Deserves Better guide.

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