An integrative model of grief

Much emphasis has been placed on individual grief reactions following the loss of a family member Increasingly, it is becoming apparent that families play a large role in the process of grieving. By combining individual and family conceptualizations of grief tasks, a model of family grief is established that shows the interrelationship of these processes. The model presented in this paper highlights the importance of family processes in the individual's perceptions of the death, as well as the influence of each, family member on the overall grief reactions and coping strategies of the family system.