Grief is a natural process, an intense fundamental emotion, a
universal experience which makes us human. It is a process that
entails extremely hard work over a period of many painful months
or years. People grieve because they are deprived of a loved
one; the sense of loss is profound. The loss of a spouse, child
or parent affects our very identities—the way we define
ourselves as a husband, wife, parent or offspring. Moreover,
grief can arise from the survivor's sudden change in
circumstances after a death and the fear of not knowing what
lies ahead. The death of someone close can be a life-changing
experience. If you are the primary caregiver of someone you
love, this experience can affect every aspect of your life for
some time. It is natural to grieve the death of a loved one
before, during and after the actual time of their passing. The
process of accepting the unacceptable is what grieving is all
about. If someone has had a prolonged illness or serious memory
impairment, family members may begin grievi