Sudden Loss

Loss in itself is painful enough, but sudden loss (when someone dies accidentally, unexpectedly and/or violently) is shocking and the shock can double one鈥檚 pain and intensify grief.听 A sudden loss may seem more painful, complicated and emotional. 听

Challenges of sudden loss

  • There is no chance to prepare or to gradually absorb the change in your world
  • There is an increase in grief over the senselessness or unfairness nature of the death
    • Some feel cheated as there was no last good-bye
    • Feeling cheated can add to one鈥檚 despair and anguish
    • 鈥淚f only . . .鈥 is a common question one may ask themselves
  • There may be grief over the lack of dignity of the death
    • Feeling the deceased was denied a peaceful or natural death
  • The world can feel less safe
    • Feelings of disenfranchisement (the world is bad) and vulnerability may increase
    • Feeling fearful, uncertain, angry and/or frustrated with the world
    • It may be hard to watch TV, read the news, etc.
  • There may be feelings of guilt because you have survived
    • This is a normal feeling, even if it feels unreasonable
    • Taking some responsibility for the death is an attempt to get some control of the senselessness of the incident
  • When a younger person dies suddenly or violently the feeling of unnaturalness is heightened for some, 鈥渢hey still had so much life to live鈥
  • Some sudden losses have media coverage making the loss more public
    • Some feel a loss of privacy or information is misrepresented
    • Yet one may find themselves obsessively gathering/following the reports
  • There may also be more involvement of the criminal justice system
    • Negotiating autopsies, police reports, legal meetings/hearing can increase emotional turmoil
    • The legal system can also go on for some time, possibly delaying parts of the grieving process
  • Anger/rage feeling may be overwhelming
  • There may be a lack of control over memories and thoughts about the loss
  • Some may feel isolated
    • Not sure who to trust and lean on for support

Take care of yourself through your grief

  • Express your feelings
  • Get support from others whether it's from family, friends, counselor, or a grief group

Adapted from Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield and .