Death, Loss, and Bereavement

An emotional reliving of a person's death each year around the time that the death occurred.

The emotional response to a death felt throughout the family system, producing stress and altering relationships even among family members emotionally removed from the deceased.

A cognitive understanding of a death that helps the family to accept the pain of the loss and makes it possible for the family to evolve a new perspective that reestablishes a positive sense of control, fairness, and trust in the future.

When a child is conceived to take the place of a deceased family member, or when a surviving child is affirmed for traits that remind parents of a deceased child.

Grief that exists even though society does not recognize one's need, right, or capacity to grieve.

A role transition brough on by the death of a spouse.