I have selected the first movement from Mahler’s fifth symphony as my contribution to the repository of resources for loss. This movement is a heavy and plodding funeral march that is dominated by the low strings and brass. Mahler was confronted by death from a very young age—he was the second of fourteen siblings, of whom only six made it to adulthood—and prior to the composition of his fifth symphony he himself nearly passed away from a hemorrhage. These experiences reinforced his preoccupation with mortality, which is a recurring theme in his compositions. Many interpret Symphony No. 5 as a journey from despair to renewal, reflecting how Mahler’s meeting with Alma Schindler, his future wife, helped him emerge from a period of darkness following his near-death experience. As the symphony progresses beyond the first movement, it traverses a wide emotional landscape—rage, turmoil, excitement, love, and, ultimately, joy. This emotional arc offers listeners a powerful exploration of grief, showing that while loss may cast a long shadow, it is possible to move forward and find new meaning in life.