Moving On: Recovering from the Death of a Spouse

Grieving is a complex multidimensional process in response to loss. The grief work involved in coping with a loved oneʼs death does not end when the loved one dies. Rather, the grief work continues through a series of recovery stages. Six stages of recovery—loss, protest, searching, despair, reorganization, and reinvestment—are illustrated and discussed using a case study that highlights a wifeʼs recovery from the death of her husband. Recognition of the stages of grief recovery after a death are significant for health care professionals so that bereavement support may be provided throughout the entire recovery process.