Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan, Second Edition

26 Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan

result from giving so much weight to these concerns that we neglect to provide

support for those who ask for our assistance. Remaining open, mindful, and

reflective about new understandings in grief theory, while also using empirical

data derived from one’s interaction with clients will guide us toward mean-

ingful work with grievers. Whether the grievers perceive the work to be use-

ful (or not) will allow us to modify our work to fit that particular griever’s

developmental and mourning needs. These are requirements of ethical and

sensitive practice in the world of grief support.

Discussion Questions

1. What rituals do you typically engage in after a death in your family and
   how do you believe this helps or hurts the mourners?


2. Consider disenfranchised losses you have experienced in your lifetime. If
   each one was actively mourned, how might that change the way you feel
   about those losses?


3. How would you approach a client who comes in to a first session and says
   “My spouse just died and I know I’m in anger right now but I want to get
   to acceptance.”


4. In light of the tepid support for grief work for all losses, how do you think
   most death losses of close people should optimally be managed?