sorgeprocessen

Sorgeprocessen is the term used to describe the set of psychological, social and physical changes that accompany bereavement, typically after the death of a loved one but also following other significant losses. It involves a wide range of emotional responses, such as sadness, anger, guilt or relief, as well as cognitive difficulties, fatigue and changes in sleep or appetite. Reactions and their duration vary greatly between individuals and cultures, and the process is often non-linear, with periods of improvement and setbacks. Social support, cultural practices, and personal coping styles influence how someone experiences sorgeprocessen.

Various theoretical frameworks describe patterns within grieving. The best-known model proposes five stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—though this sequence is not universal or strictly linear. Other perspectives outline tasks or processes: Worden’s four tasks of mourning (accepting the reality of the loss, experiencing the pain of grief, adjusting to a world without the deceased, reinvesting in life); the Dual Process Model by Stroebe and Schut, which emphasizes oscillation between loss-oriented and restoration-oriented coping; and attachment-based viewpoints that acknowledge the ongoing bond with the deceased. More recent approaches highlight meaning-making, rituals and the maintenance of continuing bonds as part of adaptation, rather than a simple progression to “moving on.”

Support and intervention play important roles. Relationships with family and friends, opportunities to express grief, and practical help can ease the process. Some individuals experience prolonged or complicated grief, for which professional counseling, grief therapy or group support may be beneficial. Cultural practices and personal beliefs regarding mourning often shape how sorgeprocessen is experienced and navigated.