ABSTRACT
Crying on the part of the mourner often generates feelings of helplessness in friends, family, and caregivers. Unfortunately, some people associate tears of grief with personal inadequacy and weakness. Another function of crying is postulated in the context of attachment theory wherein tears are intended to bring about reunion with the lost person. While the reunion cannot occur, crying is thought to be biologically based and a normal way of attempting to reconnect with the person who has died. Research in this area is still limited; some investigators have suggested that suppressing tears may increase susceptability to stress-related disorders. In author's clinical experience with thousands of mourners he has observed changes in physical expressions following the expression of tears. Whereas at one point early in grief tears might be expressive of acute pain resulting from the loss, at another time, tears may be expressive of the joy of having the opportunity to embrace memories of the deceased.
