Expectation of Death, Participation in Funeral Arrangements, and Grief Adjustment

Abstract

This research investigated the hypotheses that prior expectation of death and participation of the bereaved in planning and conducting funeral rituals will facilitate grief adjustment. Fifty primary survivors were interviewed twelve to eighteen months after the death. The hypothesis that participation in funeral rituals will facilitate grief adjustment was not confirmed. Prior expectation of death was significantly related to subsequent grief adjustment. This led to further speculation that participation in funeral rituals is important in facilitating grief adjustment in those cases in which death was not expected. Evidence regarding this hypothesis is discussed.