After the loss of a loved one, most family members will experience a period of grieving. It is part of the healing process that a kind Heavenly Father has provided for His children to be made whole and move on with the rest of their lives. It is important to remember that grief is a process, not a state. There will be an end to the process over time, and the time it takes will vary for each person. Most research shows that there are three distinct stages to the grief process but it is never a straight line from shock to integration.

• Phase 1 begins with the loss of the loved one and is characterized by shock, alarm, and denial.
• Phase 2 is the acute grief phase, which is characterized by feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, helplessness, and numbness coupled with physical sensations of hollowness in the stomach, tightness in the chest and throat, oversensitivity to noise, weakness in muscles, lack of energy, and dry mouth. During phase 2 the member is still in a state of disbelief and confusion and may experience sleep difficulties, appetite disturbances, absentminded behavior, social withdrawal, sighing, restless overactivity, and crying. Involvement with Church callings and activities can serve to lessen the impact of these feelings. Family members having a particularly difficult time over the death of a loved one should seek additional grief counseling from their priesthood leaders and LDS Family Services as needed.
• Phase 3 is the reintegration, reestablishment, or recovery phase. It generally takes between six months to a year to arrive at this phase, although for some it may take a second year. This phase is characterized by an improvement in eating, sleeping, and more energy. In this final stage new tasks may be learned, social interactions will increase, and future goals help direct the person's focus.

When reaching out to family members, often just showing love and doing things together is more important than trying to communicate words of comfort.

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