A study of grief experiences

Includes bibliographical references (pages 53-54)In recent years the recognition of the need to face death has emerged in the general consciousness of American society. Much contemporary research has contributed to the understanding of dying and bereavement. Encouraged by the findings of these works, this study attempted to investigate the grief experiences of eight individuals through case studies. It was hypothesized that they would share similar accounts of their grief processes regardless of varying circumstances, illustrating the universality of the experience. The aids and hindrances to the process were also examined. The subjects were randomly invited to volunteer their participation, with care taken that they compose a diverse group and had been bereaved not less than a year earlier. Upon analyzing the findings it was discovered that the eight subjects did experience commonalities in their bereavement, but in a very broad sense. Basic underlying patterns and features were common in most cases while specific manifestations of the traits were quite distinct. The subjects agreed almost unanimously on the aids and more than half agreed on the obstacles to the coping process. These results are significant to each individual facing his own death and, more specifically, to professionals or laymen dealing with the terminally ill or the bereaved