Life after death: grief therapy after the sudden traumatic death of a family member.
OBJECTIVE
Survivors of the sudden traumatic death of a family member are at increased risk for complicated grief and bereavement.


OBJECTIVE
To present the complicating factors inherent to sudden traumatic death in order to promote adaptive grieving in the survivors.


METHODS
A comprehensive review of the existing bereavement literature, clinical anecdotes, and therapeutic experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Grief is a process and not an endpoint. The goal of grief is not to forget about the loss, a commonly stated goal of survivors; rather, the goal is to remember the decedent, understand the changes created by the loss, and determine how to reinvest in life.
Clements
Paul T
PT
University of New Mexico, College of Nursing, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Pclements@salud.unm.edu
DeRanieri
Joseph T
JT
Vigil
Gloria J
GJ
Benasutti
Kathleen M
KM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001601:Bereavement; D003645:Death, Sudden; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology*