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Grief & Bereavement

What is bereavement and what are its common stages?

Bereavement, or the period of time that follows a loss during which grief is experienced, varies just as grief does, from person to person. Much has been written about the four stages of bereavement, or Tasks of Grief:

Task 1: To Accept the Reality of the Loss
To come to terms with the reality of the loss

Task 2: To Experience the Pain of Grief
To acknowledge, experience and gradually work through the emotional, and sometimes physical, pain associated with the loss

Task 3: To Adjust to an Environment Without the Deceased
To come to terms with the life changes created by loss of the loved one and to gradually adjust and adapt to life without him or her, including life changes and possible new demands

Task 4: To Emotionally Relocate the Deceased and Move Forward
To be able to experience the pleasure in activities and experiences, and the attachment and affection in other relationships

Adapted from Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, second edition by William Worden (1991).

The information on this website should be used only in a general sense to help you understand the grief process people typically undergo before and after death.  It should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance or counseling.

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More in this section:

• How does grief impact our lives?
• What is bereavement and what are its common stages?
• What is anticipatory grief?
• How can I help the healing process?
• Where can I receive grief and bereavement support?

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