The greiving process

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross developed the first version of the grief cycle. The Kübler-Ross cycle describes five stages of emotions that people go through when facing death. It may be their own impending death through terminal illness or the death of a loved one.

Here's one version of the stages:

1. Denial: The initial stage: "Its not true; it can't be happening."
2. Anger: "It's somebody's fault and I want revenge" "Why ME? It's not fair!" (either referring to God, oneself, or anybody perceived, rightly or wrongly, as "responsible")
3. Bargaining: "Just let me live to see my children graduate."
4. Depression: "I'm so sad, why bother with anything?"
5. Acceptance: "It's going to be OK."

Source: Wikipedia

Here's another version, this time with seven stages:

1. Shock: Initial paralysis at hearing the bad news.
2. Denial: Trying to avoid the inevitable.
3. Anger: Frustrated outpouring of bottled-up emotion.
4. Bargaining: Seeking in vain for a way out.
5. Depression: Final realization of the inevitable.
6. Testing: Seeking realistic solutions.
7. Acceptance: Finally finding the way forward.

Source: changingminds.org

Note:

• Some people get stuck in one phase and fail to move on.
• People who haven't really gotten through one phase might go back to it.
• Some people don't go through the stages in one of these orders, and might even mix them up a little.