Does the pain of the death of a loved one decrease over time or do you just grow around it?

I think it's more that the pain becomes a part of you. I don't think it lessens, but you become used to it so it's not so jarring when it pops up.

The memory is always there you learn to live with it, but in time the memories may even make you smile

It lessens but when you start to remember them again in a few years you have a momentary feeling of sadness but then you pull yourself together knowing they are doing better off, No longer in pain.

in my experience, you grow around it; the pain doesn't lessen
you grow stronger to carry the weigh of loss and grief.

I don't know what others do but I like to keep the pain active; it's my way of honouring the time they spent on earth.

After a few years you begin to smile as you remember them.

It lessens.

No emotional state can last forever

keepyoureyespeeled yes it does relinquish in time but I found with the loss of my dad there is still things that trigger sadness even after five years now

Wouldn’t know.. haven’t experienced it yet