The importance of conceiving of grief as an active process

Abstract Concepts of the grieving process as passive are rejected, and concepts of the process as active are embraced. Standard stage-phase and medical treatments of bereavement are based on the belief that grieving is experienced passively. The emotion of grief and the coping process of grieving are distinguished; the emotion is said to render the bereaved passive and the coping process is said to challenge the bereaved, presenting them with choices. Alternative concepts of the grieving process as an active one are reviewed, tasks that confront the bereaved are outlined, and grieving is discussed as being rich in choice. The importance of the latter concepts for promoting self-understanding and defining helping strategies is underscored.