To describe someone's emotions is one of the most difficult things a human being can do. While not technically difficult like calculating mathematics, to put thoughts and emotions into words that accurately describe them is simply beyond any person's normal ability. To illustrate bereavement, much less any kind of loss, is a herculean demand unfairly imposed on anyone in times of great loss.
To illustrate someone's loss without their presence, however, goes far beyond the definition of herculean into the realm of ludicrously impossible. The very notion of speaking for someone else, a lifelong friend no less, would turn people away and rightfully so. The task alone is plenty difficult for the grieving individual. Most turning away from this is the expected and normal outcome.
Yet for a select group of friends they must do that. A select few friends must retrace Michael Crawford's life journey for it has been lost to time. A life journey filled with calamity and loss unfair to any human being. Even the starting line the friends agree on is little more than a Prelude to Bereavement. A build up to a heartbreaking loss that will set Michael Crawford down the road to infamy.