The Unhappy Surprise:
Grief from Sudden and Unexpected Death
The grief experienced by survivors following the death of a loved one is influenced by various factors, including the mode of death. This presentation will focus on grief experienced when mourners are surprised by the death of their loved one. We will address some of the dynamics of grief particular to sudden loss and discuss ways mourners cope with the complexities this type of loss presents.
Objectives:
1) Define sudden death in a client-centered way.
2) Identify life-enhancing and life-depleting coping mechanisms in
relation to sudden and expected death.
3) Identify three intervention techniques to help mourners
experiencing sudden loss.