Mourning & Bereavement
Adults
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• Losses to death during this period are experienced out-of-sequence (although this can happen at any age.
• Losses often experienced during these years: loss of an infant or a pregnancy; abortion; SIDS; spouse; non-marital partner; parents; siblings
• Much disenfranchised grief at this point, especially for losses such as a pregnancy or abortion
• Anger and guilt may accompany losses due to things such as SIDS
• Loss of parents mean end of childhood and if the same sex parent can be particularly difficult

Middle Adulthood - (40s through 60s)

• Losses specific to this age: parents; spouse; siblings; children
• Again, the death of the parents can be particularly hard
• Loss of a spouse can feel like abandonment
• Financial woes associated with the loss of a spouse are especially felt during these years

Late Adulthood (age 55+)

• There are many losses at this time that have nothing to do with death
• Losses: death, disability, diminished capacity, sight, hearing, sexual function
• Other death losses at this time: grandchildren and self