University of Delaware Living with Loss

Living With Loss: Disenfranschised Grief

Individuals who experience disenfranchised grief are often left without support during the time when they are in greatest need. This session explores the types of losses as well as other issues that may result in disenfranchised grief. Support strategies are also addressed.

Living With Loss: Special Days

This presentation focuses on anniversary responses experienced by the bereaved, especially those during the first year after the death. The anticipation of a special day often evokes anxiety and a resurgence of intense emotion, but the actual day itself is often less painful than expected.

Living With Loss: Pet Loss

Many individuals form very meaningful relationships with their pets. When a pet becomes terminally ill, the individuals or family are faced with many decisions - palliative care at home or in a veterinary hospital, euthanasia...how to say "good-bye?" Because our society does not regard pet death as a "significant loss," the individuals/family are considered disenfranchised grievers. The needed support provided by others is often missing. However, there are sources of support available in the community and online.

Living With Loss: Grief Revisited

This presentation focuses on grief manifestations, types of responses, influencing factors, and grief as a "process of relearning the world" (Attig, 1996) or "meaning reconstruction (Neimeyer, 2000). "Grief attacks" are viewed as a normal response to the loss of a loved one – part of the integration process. Returning to school or work is part of 'relearning the world' – moving forward.

Living With Loss: Coping with Grief During the Holidays

Special days often involve rituals of joy and celebration. After a death, individuals wonder how to "get through" all the firsts – birthday, seasonal holidays, anniversary, etc. How can grief and joy co-exist? Often the anticipation is more difficult than the actual event. This presentation offers suggestions for coping with special days.