When my grandma passed away I wrote a song 🌷💔

It can be challenging to find the right words to describe the loss we experience when a loved one dies. The death of his cherished grandmother was that moment for singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. He chose to do what he knew best—write a song—instead of allowing grief to consume him in silence. A ballad that touched people’s hearts all over the world was the result of that unfiltered emotional place.

The profound bond Ed had with his grandmother and the amazing time he and his family shared during her last days in the hospital served as the song’s inspiration in addition to the actual loss. He said, “The care she received was amazing.” “The staff members were incredibly kind, funny, caring, and compassionate.” The Sheeran family discovered an unexpected source of solace during these trying times, not only in one another but also in the nurses who looked after them like family. Ed continued, “My mum is still in contact with the nurses who worked there, and my family and I became very close to them.”

The setting—the peaceful hospital moments, the last farewells, and the little, everyday items that abruptly became mementos—was what made this encounter so moving. He depicted the process of packing up his grandmother’s hospital room, taking note of the small details—flowers on the windowsill, empty cups, and books that had been forgotten—that now held a great deal of emotional significance. Each line was inspired by a genuine experience, a moment captured in time.

The song evolved into a love letter, a catharsis, and a means of paying respect to someone who had meant a great deal to him. Ed’s grandmother was more than simply a relative; she was the musical center of the Sheeran family, and it was her passion for music that sowed the seeds for Ed’s own career. He proudly remarked, “She was the musical one in my family.” “Hopefully, my children will inherit that.”

Ed made the poignant and creative decision to compose the song from his mother’s point of view, thinking what it must have been like for her to stand in her mother’s hospital room, packing away sentimental objects. “I grabbed the flowers from the windowsill at the supermarket.” The line is as modest as it is strong. That straightforward picture of fresh flowers—purchased on a regular supermarket run—becomes a representation of memory, love, and sorrow.

The song’s emotional impact was further enhanced by this original songwriting choice. We were hearing the voices of generations, not just Ed’s: the love of his family, the sorrow of his mother, and the heritage of his grandmother. Heartstrings were used to weave the song together.

Ed didn’t initially plan to make the song available to the general audience. It was too sacred, too raw, and too intimate. He never imagined it would be heard outside of the room when he performed it as a heartfelt farewell at his grandmother’s burial. However, his grandfather encouraged him to share the homage with the world after being touched by it. The world was better off as a result of “Supermarket Flowers” being featured on his third studio album, *÷ (Divide)*.

The song struck a deep chord with people after it was released. It was sensitive, sincere, and emotional rather than polished like many chart-topping songs are. Its genuineness and simplicity were what made it beautiful. More significantly, it provided solace to millions of people dealing with their own loss, even though it peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. Ed received letters from listeners who thanked him for expressing their emotions and letting them know they weren’t the only ones experiencing grief.

The song “Supermarket Flowers” demonstrated the therapeutic value of music and became an international hymn of love and grief. The silent sadness, the unexpected barrage of memories, and the bittersweet sense of thankfulness for having loved someone so truly were all well encapsulated in it.

However, this song is still very personal to Ed despite the public’s reaction. It stands for the woman who influenced his musical heritage as well as the resilience of his family, the compassion of those who provide care, and the enduring power of love. It serves as a reminder that art can provide direction even in the most difficult circumstances.

More than just a song, Ed Sheeran’s ode to his grandma is a eulogy, a story, and a memory. It serves as a reminder to cherish the people we care about, to value the small things in life, and to never be scared to speak our feelings. Creative expression of grief can transform it into something lovely.