Understanding Grief

Mourning

Understanding Grief
by Pat Gleich

One of the important times that congregational communities care for their members is when end of life issues arise. Understanding more about the grief process can help you comfort someone who has experienced a loss.

Grief is unique to each person. There are no standards for emotional expression of loss, nor is there a timeline for healing. Grieving a loss is an intensely personal process, influenced by many factors, including age, health status, available support and cultural and religious background.

Pat Gleich is associate for National Health Ministries.

Illustration of "Winter Mourning," by Mark Austin Byrd

Other Articles Online This Issue

Too Close for Comfort
Psalms of Lament
Preparing for a Death in the Family
Death with Dignity
Animals Are People, Too
Installation Service for Presbyterian Women
Dispatch from Forbearance
Unconventional Grace
Nurturing Our Faith
Supporting Mission
Mosaic
Health Connections


*Find out what grief looks like, and what you can do to help a grieving friend or loved one by reading the March/April 2007 issue of Horizons.*	Understanding Grief by Pat Gleich One of the important times that congregational communities care for their members is when end of life issues arise. Understanding more about the grief process can help you comfort someone who has experienced a loss. Grief is unique to each person. There are no standards for emotional expression of loss, nor is there a timeline for healing. Grieving a loss is an intensely personal process, influenced by many factors, including age, health status, available support and cultural and religious background. *Pat Gleich* is associate for National Health Ministries. Illustration of "Winter Mourning," by Mark Austin Byrd Other Articles Online This Issue Too Close for Comfort Psalms of Lament Preparing for a Death in the Family Death with Dignity Animals Are People, Too Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Dispatch from Forbearance Unconventional Grace Nurturing Our Faith Supporting Mission Mosaic Health Connections	Current Issue March/April 2007 About This Issue Features PW Resources Departments FREE Resource Mar/Apr Index How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the March/April 2007 (HZN-07-210) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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