1.

Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

1. Denial
● At first, you may feel numb or as if you are in shock. It’s hard to believe that your loved
one has actually died and will no longer be a part of your life. You may find yourself
thinking that “it cannot possibly be.” During the denial stage, many people withdraw and
isolate themselves from others.

2. Anger
● You may be angry at the person who has died, the situation, your family members, the
doctor, or even yourself. Most experts recommend that you recognize your anger for
what it is and you allow yourself to work through it.

3. Bargaining
● You may try to make a deal with a higher power so that your loved one will not be ill or
die. Going through this stage can help you deal with the aftermath of the loss.

4. Depression
● You may feel overwhelming sadness and emptiness. It may be hard to go about daily
activities. This is a very natural reaction to a loss. While it not unusual to feel depressed
after a loss, you may be concerned about these feelings. If you are worried about how
you feel, do not hesitate to seek help.

5. Acceptance
● After some time you will begin to feel that things will be OK. You may never get over
missing the person you have lost, but you feel ready to move on.