The Different Faces of Grief

Every person grieves a loss in a different way. A major reason for this difference is a person’s relationship with the one who has died. Every relationship is unique, however, there are certain common aspects to grief that are tied to how you are related to that person. A valuable thing to remember, with all of these different relationships, is that the death of the person does not mean the death of the relationship. You will always be this person’s parent, child, spouse, sibling, relative or friend.

Losing a child

The death of a child before their parents is a reversal of the natural order of life and is viewed by mental health professionals as the most difficult tragedy that a parent could have to deal with. Those who have lost a child frequently have difficulty moving forward and find that others cannot understand what they are going through.

Losing a spouse or partner

When couples commit to a life together, there is a certainty that, in the end, death will part them. The loss of a spouse or partner can bring a horrible uncertainty and a feeling that life cannot go on. The responsibilities of a family can seem overwhelming when you have lost your partner and now have to manage alone.

Losing a sibling

The impact of the death of a sibling can vary greatly depending on the actual relationship with that person. Although it is not considered by many to be one of the “big” deaths, the loss of a sibling can feel like a loss of self and of family identity, and can be devastating.

Losing a parent

Although most children live to see their parents die, it is never an easy event. The loss of a parent is a truly painful one and the grief can extend for many years. As the central figures in our early years, it hard to imagine life without them, or to see yourself taking on the “adult” roles that they have always been responsible for. The loss of a parent frequently brings about conflicts with other family members as the stress of coping with the loss heightens tensions.

Losing a grandparent

As members of the “older” generation, the death of a grandparent is often one of the first losses that people experience. Depending on the nature of a person’s relationship with their grandparent and the cause of their death, the feelings that arise in the grieving process can vary greatly. Some people experience regrets that they did not spend more time with a grandparent while they were alive while others feel relief that they have died after a protracted illness. These are normal and natural reactions to this loss.

Losing a relative or friend

Grouping other relatives and friends together should not suggest that these two things are the same. In fact, this really returns to the idea that grief is always different. It can be hard to explain to others that your great-aunt was like a grandmother or that a best friend was like a brother. The important thing to remember, as you grieve, is what they meant to you.

The grieving journey provides insightful information on the path to grief. [http://www.thegrievingjourney.com]Different faces of grief talks about losing a child to losing a grandparent and what people may feel when these different faces.

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