So long as memories of people exist... they still exist. I'm not a spiritual person Helen, but people... I mean their personalities... they're thoughts... so as long as you keep his memory alive, both within you, and your family and friends.... he's still alive. I've lost people.. we all have, and so many times I remember stuff people said to me who are no longer here... people I knew so well, and when faced with decisions and tricky stuff, I end up asking what they'd do.... the memories come forward, and I get the answer, because their personalities are still alive in me. In that sense, the departed are always with us.
Small comfort I know... take comfort in that.