ABSTRACT
Any emotionally upsetting experience has the potential to aggravate mental and physical health problems. This is clearly the case after the death of a close friend or family member. Bereavement is associated with extended periods of anguish and pain, increased risk of depression, physical illness, and mortality (W. Stroebe, Schut, & Stroebe, 2005a). It is widely assumed in Western societies that people have to confront their feelings and reactions to the death of a loved one in order to adjust to the loss. Despite some dissenting voices (e.g., M. Stroebe & Stroebe, 1991; Wortman & Silver, 1989, 2001), it is widely accepted, not only by lay persons but also bereavement professionals, that the bereaved must do their “grief work”.
