THE 5 STAGES OF GRIEF

DENIAL/ISOLATION

• Denial/Isolation is the first stage of grief.
• People will begin to deny the death of a loved one as soon as they find out.
• The first stage buffers the immediate shock.

GUILT/ANGER

• Guilt/anger is the second stage.
• Once the shock wears off you begin to feel guilty.
• During this stage you should let your emotions out rather than keep them in.

BARGAINING

• Bargaining is the third stage.
• Bargaining is a desperate expression of hope.
• Although this stage can be brutal, it can also help you start to accept your loss.

DEPRESSION

• Depression is the fourth stage.
• Two types of depression are associated with mourning.
• This phase may be eased with clarification and reassurance.

ACCEPTANCE

• Acceptance is the fifth stage.
• This final stage of mourning is not offered to everyone.
• Resisting this final stage will only prolong the process of healing.