Grief is a natural human response to the loss of a loved one. It
can manifest itself in many ways. Grief moves in and out of
stages from disbelief and denial, to anger and guilt, to finding
a source of comfort, to eventually adjusting to the loss. It is
normal for both the dying person and the survivors to experience
grief. For survivors, the grieving process can take many years
and many forms. The challenge of accepting death and dying as
the end stage of life is what the grieving process is all about.
Anticipatory grief. This occurs when someone has a prolonged
illness, and the patient as well as the family anticipates
death. Anticipating the loss of a loved one can be just as
painful and stressful as the actual act of losing that person.
Anticipatory grief allows the family to prepare for the
inevitable death. This can be a time to resolve issues and
concerns, seek the support of spiritual leaders, family, and
friends, and clarify the loved one's wishes for funeral and
burial arrangements and other end-of-