ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines several reasons that the concept of reconciliation seems implausible for surviving family members in homicide cases. People, who have lost someone to homicide, and their stories, can act as a guiding point for change within the society and judicial system. After a murder, families are forced to deal with their grief in a public manner due to the judicial proceedings against the accused and the media's fascination with crime and death. With the judicial system forcing the pain of the victim's death onto the family, and the church distilling the pain with language of forgiveness and reconciliation, it is no wonder the victims receive confusing messages. The judicial system is an excellent place to bridge compassion with justice. Victims can experience their religious community as a group that places high expectations upon the bereaved. One challenge is the speed with which people expect victims to move through the mourning process.
