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Grief, Bereavement, and Coping With Loss (PDQ)

Last Modified: 08/31/2010

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Table of ContentsOverviewDefinitions of Terms

GriefBereavementMourning

Types of Grief ReactionsAnticipatory GriefNormal or Common GriefStage Models of Normal GriefPatterns of Complicated GriefProlonged or Complicated Grief as a Mental Disorder

Risk Factors for Complicated Grief and Other Negative Bereavement OutcomesSituational: Expected or Unexpected DeathPersonal: Personality CharacteristicsPersonal: Religious BeliefsPersonal: GenderPersonal: AgeInterpersonal Context: Social Support

TreatmentNormal or Common Grief ReactionsPsychosocial Treatment of Complicated GriefPharmacologic Treatment of Bereavement-related Depression

Children and GriefGrief and Developmental Stages Infants Ages 2 to 3 years Ages 3 to 6 years Ages 6 to 9 years Ages 9 years and older Issues for grieving childrenInterventions for Grieving Children Explanation of death Correct language Planning rituals References and resources for grieving children

Cross-cultural Responses to Grief and MourningCurrent Clinical TrialsGet More Information From NCIChanges to This Summary (08/31/2010)Questions or Comments About This SummaryMore InformationAbout This PDQ Summary

OverviewHealth care providers will encounter bereaved individuals throughout their personal and professionallives.[1] The progression from the final stages of cancer to the death of a loved one is experienced indifferent ways by different individuals. Every person is unique, and thus there will be many individualdifferences in grief experiences. Most people will experience common or normal grief and will cope well;others will experience more severe grief reactions such as prolonged or complicated grief and will benefitfrom treatment. Some may even find that the cancer experience, although it is difficult and trying, may leadto significant personal growth.

http://www.cancer.gov/bereavement, mourning, and grief

http://www.cancer.gov/http://www.nih.gov/http://www.cancer.gov/http://www.cancer.gov/espanolhttp://www.cancer.gov/http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopicshttp://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrialshttp://www.cancer.gov/statistics/http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfundinghttp://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/http://www.cancer.gov/aboutncihttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/Patienthttp://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/duelo/healthprofessionalhttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages/printhttp://www.cancer.gov/common/popUps/PopEmail.aspx?language=English&title=Grief%2c+Bereavement%2c+and+Coping+With+Loss+(PDQ%c2%ae)&docurl=%2fcancertopics%2fpdq%2fsupportivecare%2fbereavement%2fhealthprofessional&a=T219034836&b=177z33http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpageshttp://www.cancer.gov/directorhttp://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/http://www.cancer.gov/drugdictionary/http://www.cancer.gov/researchandfunding#fundingopportunitieshttps://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/http://www.cancer.gov/common/clickpassthrough.aspx?clickitem=listId_e77bb1cc-1e0b-4b78-b988-cdc2b1132b95_Url_http%3a%2f%2fdeainfo.nci.nih.gov%2fadvisory%2fboards.htm&redirectUrl=http%3a%2f%2fdeainfo.nci.nih.gov%2fadvisory%2fboards.htm&fromUrl=%2fcancertopics%2fpdq%2fsupportivecare%2fbereavement%2fhealthprofessional%2fallpageshttp://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/servingpeoplehttp://www.cancer.gov/espanolhttp://www.cancer.gov/helphttps://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asphttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smokinghttp://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/ProgressReport2010http://www.cancer.gov/common/clickpassthrough.aspx?clickitem=listId_db92c1ec-b419-41f0-afe6-f987084d592f_Url_http%3a%2f%2fplan.cancer.gov&redirectUrl=http%3a%2f%2fplan.cancer.gov&fromUrl=%2fcancertopics%2fpdq%2fsupportivecare%2fbereavement%2fhealthprofessional%2fallpageshttp://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/ReportNation2009Releasehttp://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_149http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_154http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_267http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_155http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_157http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_164http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_167http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_182http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_187http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_190http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_197http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_204http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_211http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_213http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_216http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_220http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_222http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_224http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_226http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_227http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_241http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_255http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_53http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_58http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_60http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_62http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_64http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/bereavement/healthprofessional/allpages#Section_66http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/suppor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Coping with death is usually not an easy process and cannot be dealt with in a cookbook fashion. Theway in which a person will grieve depends on the personality of the grieving individual and his or herrelationship with the person who died. The cancer experience; the manner of disease progression; onescultural and religious beliefs, coping skills, and psychiatric history; the availability of support systems; andones socioeconomic status all affect how a person will cope with the loss of a loved one via cancer.

This summary first defines the constructs of grief, bereavement, and mourning. It then distinguishes thegrief reactions of anticipatory grief, normal or common grief, stage models of normal grief, and complicatedor prolonged g