Grief work and processing loss

In short: Grief is the natural reaction to the loss of a loved one and runs differently for every person. There is no “correct” timeline for grief.

In more detail: Older stage models of grief are now considered too rigid, modern approaches emphasise individual courses.

In detail

• No fixed order: Feelings such as denial, anger, sadness and acceptance can alternate or occur at the same time.
• Physical reactions: Exhaustion, sleep problems and appetite changes are common.
• Rituals: Funerals and memorial days help with consciously saying goodbye.
• Social support: Being able to talk about the loss often relieves the burden, even when it is hard.
• Individual pace: No one should be pushed to “move on” too quickly.
• Complicated grief: If grief remains very intense for a very long time, professional support can help.
• Explaining to children: Age-appropriate, honest explanations help children understand the loss (selbstfuersorge-im-alltag).