Death and Grieving

When you were born, you

cried and the world
rejoiced.
Live your life in a manner
so that when you die the
world cries and you rejoice.
--Native American Proverb
• It is a far, far better thing that I do, than
anything I have ever done;
it is a far, far, better rest that I go to, than I
have ever known.
• -Charles Dickens
 Strange as it may seem, death is a
part of living. Where did you learn
your ideas or views about death?
• Family
• Religious beliefs
• Superstitions
• Experiences with death
• Attitude toward life
• Mental health
• Media
• Science
1. How would you define Death?
 2. Why do most people dislike
talking and thinking about death?
3. What positive and negative
statements could you make
about your life thus far?
4. What are some ways people
deny that death is part of
everyone's life?
• MANY PEOPLE AVOID USING THE WORD
DEATH OR DEAD,
• PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE WILLS,
• PEOPLE DO NOT MAKE ARRANGEMENTS
FOR WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY DIED,
ETC.
5. What do you fear most about
dying?
 Grief
• The pain, discomfort, mental and
physical feeling that most people
feel following the death of a loved
one.

• People suffer grief at the loss of

anything. It doesn’t just have to
be death.
Grieving
Process
Denial
 Denial
• In this stage we refuse to believe
what has happened. We try in our
mind to tell ourselves that life is as it
was before our loss.
• We can even make believe to an
extent by re enacting rituals that we
used to go through with our loved
one.
• We set an extra plate at the table.
• We expect them to be there when
we get home.
• We flash back to memories and
conversations.
• These are all part of this stage.
Anger
 Anger
• We get angry.
• The anger can manifest itself in many
ways.
• We blame others for our loss.
• We become easily agitated having
emotional outbursts.
• We can even become
angry at ourselves.
• Care must be taken here
not to turn the anger
inwards.
• Release of this anger is
essential!
Bargaining
 Bargaining
• Bargaining can be with ourselves or if you
are religious with your god.
• Often we will offer something to try to take
away the reality of what really happened.
• We may try to make a deal, to have our
loved one back as they were before the
tragic event occurred.
• It is only human to want things back as
they were before.
Depression
 Depression
• Depression is a very likely outcome for all
people that grieve for a loss.
• This is the most difficult of the stages to
deal with.
• There can be a feeling of listness and
tiredness.
• Outbursts of tears may occur.
• You may feel like there is no purpose
to your life anymore.
• You may feel like you are being
punished.
• Pleasure and joy may be difficult to
express.
• There may even be thoughts of suicide.
• If you at any time in this stage, feel like
doing yourself harm, professional
counseling should be sought.
Acceptance
 Acceptance
• This is the final stage of grief.
• It happens when you know that
you have to go on.
• You can accept your loss and
now be able to regain your energy
and goals for the future.
• It may take some time to get to
this stage..but you will get there!
Physical Reactions
 Disinterest
in Eating
Tightness
in Throat
Can’t
Sleep Tired
Unfeeling
Emotional Reactions
 Feeling
of Relief
Anxiety
Stabbing Pain
Hostility

Fear Anger
1.Refuse to believe what has happened
D __ N __ A __
2. There can be a feeling of listness and tiredness.
__ E__R SS __I O __
3. Can able to accept your loss and now be able to
regain your energy and goals for the future.
A __C__P__A __C__
4. Can be with ourselves or if you are religious
with your God. B__R __A __N __N G
5. Blame others for your loss.
__ N G __ R
•