The Universal Stages of Grief and Loss

Grief and loss are things we must deal with as human beings many times throughout our lives. Mourning the loss of a loved one or pet is a universal human experience. The loss of a relationship caused by breakup or divorce, the loss of a family member or friend or the loss of a beloved pet causes all of us to go through the mourning process of dealing with grief and loss.

In the late 1960s, Elsabeth Kubler-Ross published the seminal book, “On Death and Dying,” which outlined the five stages of grief most of us will experience when dealing with the loss of a loved one. Kubler-Ross found that most people experienced all five stages, although not in the same order, after losing a loved one. In fact, most experts on grief and loss agree with her findings. These stages also universally apply to those experiencing the news of a terminal illness. According to Elsabeth Kubler-Ross, the five universal stages or phases of grief are:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Finding help from professional grief counselors, survivors support grouos or support from family and friends can help you heal from your wounds caused by the loss of a loved one or the news of a terminal illness. You can find a plethora of information at your library or on the Internet to guide you during your times of immense sorrow. You’re not alone.

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Timothy P. Murphy

Timothy P. Murphy is an estate planning and elder law attorney whose practice emphasizes helping people to build, preserve and pass on their wealth. He works with his clients to accomplish their goals while avoiding unnecessary court proceedings and minimizing or eliminating exposure to death taxes.

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