The title The Lovely Bones refers to the connections and relationships that remain after a tragic event. The story is narrated by Susie Salmon, a young girl who has been murdered. From her perspective in the afterlife, she watches over her family and friends as they cope with her death and try to rebuild their lives.
The ‘lovely bones’ symbolize the new relationships and bonds that form among the living as they heal and move forward. These connections are like bones that grow and strengthen over time, creating a new structure from the broken pieces of their lives. The title suggests that even in the face of loss and tragedy, there is beauty and hope in the way people come together and support each other.