Grief Counseling & Aftercare Flashcards

What does the term 'closure' mean in the context of funeral services?

Answer: The psychological sense of resolution or completion that rituals can provide to the bereaved

Closure refers to the psychological resolution that funeral rituals, viewing, and ceremonies can provide to the bereaved, helping them accept the reality of the death.

What is the purpose of offering a 'follow-up call' to families after a funeral?

Answer: To check on the family's well-being and offer additional grief resources

Follow-up calls demonstrate genuine care for the family's well-being and provide an opportunity to offer additional grief support or resources.

What is 'secondary loss' in grief?

Answer: The additional losses (financial, social, identity) that occur as a result of the primary loss

Secondary loss refers to the cascade of additional losses — such as financial security, companionship, or social roles — that result from the primary death.

What is the Dual Process Model of grief (Stroebe & Schut)?

Answer: A model showing oscillation between loss-orientation and restoration-orientation coping

The Dual Process Model describes healthy grieving as oscillating between focusing on the loss itself (loss-orientation) and adapting to life changes (restoration-orientation).

Why are funeral rites considered important for children who are grieving?

Answer: Participating in rituals helps children understand death's reality and begin healthy grieving

Age-appropriate participation in funeral rituals helps children understand the reality of death and begin processing their grief in a healthy, supported way.

What is 'traumatic grief'?

Answer: Grief complicated by traumatic circumstances such as sudden, violent, or unexpected death

Traumatic grief combines normal bereavement with trauma responses, often occurring after sudden, violent, or unexpected deaths such as accidents, suicide, or homicide.