In Grief: Supporting A Partner in Mourning

When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words.  ~ Thema Davis

If those who share their stories in our online Loss of a Love Relationship forum are any indication, individuals whose partners have lost a family member to death are often dismayed by the profound and often negative impact such a loss can have on the couple's relationship. As stated in an earlier post, we are all different from one another, not only in how we think, feel and behave, but also in how we mourn. If this is a couple's first experience with significant loss and they are unfamiliar with grief, they may misinterpret each other's behaviors, misunderstand their partner's needs and fail to meet their expectations. Hurt feelings and conflict may follow, and eventually their entire relationship can get derailed.