Parkes' Model of Grief

Parkes’ Model of Grief describes how people tend to experience grief in predictable, though individual, patterns over time. It outlines four main stages: initial shock and disbelief, followed by a period of yearning and longing, then experiencing sadness and emotional pain, and finally gradually adjusting to life without the loved one. The process is not always linear; individuals may move back and forth between stages. This model emphasizes that grief is a natural and personal journey, with each person experiencing it in their own way, and that acceptance and adaptation are eventual goals.