Understanding the Stages of Grief

Understanding the Stages of Grief
Understanding the Stages of Grief

In 1969 Elisabeth Kubler-Ross described the concept of “5 Stages of Grief” in her unique book titled- “On Death and Dying.” While it’s true that there isn’t any set pattern that people need to follow when they are grieving the death of a loved one, these are the general stages of grief that people go through:
  1. Denial- This is something people do instinctively in response to any type of unsavoury news. They instantaneously reject it and go into denial for just a brief moment. It’s the mind’s defence mechanism where people feel that denying something will simply make it go away.
  2. Anger- This is the next stage where people feel that the situation is unfair and that everyone else should also grieve with them. They go through feelings of frustration not just when interacting with friends and family, but with chance strangers as well. While this response is instinctive and to some extent healthy as well, at times, it can extend for a very long time, particularly when the circumstances are traumatic or abrupt.
  3. Bargaining- This is the stage where people think about all the “if only's” and “what ifs”. They look at all the circumstances and in retrospect feel that if they had done things differently the death may not have occurred in the first place.
  4. Depression- This stage is full of pain and sadness and can last for months and sometimes even years.  People experience apathy, sadness and a disinterest in doing things.
  5. Acceptance- This is when the actual healing begins and the person finally starts to accept his or her loss and begins to move forward.

If you want to know more about our funeral services, don’t hesitate to contact us at The Jerry Spears Company. Our team will be happy to help.

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