Grief refers to the actual or anticipated loss of people, things, positions, and roles that hold significance to an individual or the subsequent natural psychological, physical, social, and behavioral responses elicited by the perceived loss. This emotional state is characterized by distress, hopelessness, apathy, anger, and alterations in immune and neuroendocrine functions, sleep patterns, activity levels, and behavior.

Anticipatory grief occurs before an expected loss and can aid in preparing individuals for the subsequent shock of the actual loss. Conversely, when facing an actual loss, individuals typically undergo a series of stages over time, as outlined by A. Deeken: (1) mental blow and paralysis, (2) denial, (3) panic, (4) anger and embarrassment, (5) hostility and envy, (6) guilt, (7) fantasy formation or imagining alternative scenarios, (8) loneliness and depression, (9) mental confusion and apathy, (10) resignation and acceptance, (11) new hope: rediscovering humor and laughter, and (12) recovering: birth of a new identity. These stages represent normal processes, with recovery occurring gradually. Conversely, pathological grief denotes prolonged or chronic grief processes or the suppression of grief responses, leading to depression. In such cases, active support from nursing staff is essential.

• Deeken, A., & Medical Friend Publishing Editorial Department (Eds.). (1986). Death preparation education 2: Taking care of death. Medical Friend Publishing.
• Kissane, D. W., & Bloch, S. (2004). Family-oriented grief therapy: Palliative care to support families of cancer patients (Aoki, S., & Arai, N., Trans.). Cosmos Library.
• Okonogi, K. (1979). Object loss: What it means to grieve. Chuokoron Shinsho.