Couples in Grief

Grief within a couple depends on various factors, such as each partner’s age, the length of the relationship, whether they had children together or separately, the relationship with in-laws, each partner’s roles (e.g., provider), household economy, and the nature of the death, etc.

When death occurs due to illness, grief tends to be less severe, as anticipatory mourning often takes place during the course of the illness due to ongoing losses. However, grief following a sudden death is typically more prolonged and intense, given the number of unresolved matters and unmet expectations within the relationship.

The death of a spouse signifies the loss of a best friend, a confidant, a lover, a source of support, a life companion, and a significant part of one’s life project.

Grief in couples after many years of cohabitation and in older age presents distinct characteristics, such as marital dependency, more rigid roles, and previous experiences of loss. Even when prior conflicts existed, the surviving partner may feel longing—or conversely, a sense of relief.

At COINCIDIR, we support the bereaved in exploring all the factors that influence the grieving process.