The Grieving Process

Everyone handles loss in their own way. While grief is different for each of us, many people share some common feelings along the way.

The Stages of Grief


Five commonly described stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

They do not happen in order or on a schedule. People often move between them and return to earlier ones, sometimes more than once.


How Long Grief Lasts


There is no right or wrong amount of time. Many experts agree it is not unusual for the grieving process to take at least a year.

Complicated Grief


Other recent losses or difficult events can delay or disrupt healing. This is known as complicated grief.

If grief continues to disrupt daily life after some time has passed, please seek professional counseling.