Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual
50
GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT
WHAT IS GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT?
Grief is a natural response to any type of loss and a source of stress
for anyone experiencing a loss. People need both physical and
emotional energy to cope with the changes brought on by loss.
Although there are some common physical, emotional and
behavioural signs of grief, each individual grieves each loss uniquely.
Anticipatory Grief is the grief someone experiences in anticipation
of death. The dying person and family may experience this
anticipated loss of life as well as all the opportunities that are lost
when death will occur. During this period of anticipatory grief, the
person and family will often deal with unfinished business or begin
to mourn.
Mourning is a process that helps individuals cope with grief. It
involves services that reflect cultural and social norms and practices.
During this mourning period, a grieving person will:
• accept of the reality of the loss
• experience emotional pain and suffering
• adjust to living without the loved one
• let go
Bereavement is the state of suffering a loss. A bereaved person is
someone who has experienced the recent loss of a loved one through
death and who is going through the process of mourning.
Physical, Emotional and Behavioural Signs of Grief:
• Tightness in the throat
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Loss of energy
• Changes in appetite
• Palpitations and/or chest pain
• Numbness
• Disorientation
• Crying and sighing
