Ongoing ties and bereavement: rethinking support for the bereaved

How do the ongoing connections between bereaved adults and children and their deceased influence their grieving process and quality of life, and to what extent does the recognition or stigmatization of these experiences affect support practices, public policies, and clinical interventions?

Mourning, far from being a simple rupture, is often characterized by the persistence of an emotional, symbolic or spiritual relationship with the deceased, referred to as "continuing bonds". Contrary to a traditional approach to bereavement, which advocated the need to cut ties with the deceased to enable "healthy" adaptation, these bonds are increasingly appearing as essential elements in the grieving process. However, their recognition in clinical practice, public policy and psychosocial support remains incomplete, particularly in contexts where these bonds are stigmatized or perceived as manifestations of psychological dysfunction.

This issue is particularly important from an intergenerational perspective. Bereaved adults and children experience and express these bonds differently, with children often ignored in discussions about death and bereavement. For children, ongoing ties may manifest themselves in imaginary games or interactions - symbolic or otherwise - with the deceased, often misunderstood or downplayed by adults. As for adults, the persistence of these links can take various forms, such as the maintenance of memories (physical or mental), rituals or conversations with the deceased, which can either soothe or complicate their mourning process.

For more information:
https://www.acfas.ca/evenements/congres/programme-preliminaire/400/460