Wave-based grief recognizes that grief moves, recedes, and returns. A new wave does not mean that you have failed or returned to the beginning.

No. The stages can provide helpful language, but grief does not follow one mandatory sequence or timetable.

No. Grief can affect sleep, memory, appetite, physical health, relationships, work, finances, identity, and a person’s sense of safety.

Sudden or stigmatized losses may bring shock, unanswered questions, guilt, anger, isolation, and difficult interactions with medical or legal systems.