Inevitably, we all have to face loss. The Hospice Foundation of America offers practical advice for dealing with profound personal grief.
Jack Gordon, HFA president, says, "In order to deal with loss, and to help others who are struggling, it's important to get past some of the common misconceptions about grief." Death is not all we grieve. Grief is a response to any loss, be it a divorce, illness, job change or natural disaster.
Not only family members grieve. All of the people who are attached grieve. Don't leave them alone. Grievers need opportunities to share their memories and grief and to receive support.
Grief is not just an emotional reaction. It is manifested in many ways and in many places. Grieving is an uneven process that follows no time line. The bereaved never fully detach. Most learn to live with loss over time.
