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Grief is perhaps one of the most universal yet deeply personal human experiences. Whether mourning the loss of a loved one, adjusting to significant life changes, or processing traumatic events, the journey through grief rarely follows a predictable path. In the quiet towns of Ararat and across Australia’s Sunshine Coast, individuals find themselves navigating these complex emotional landscapes daily—sometimes with support, often alone. As we move through 2025, our understanding of grief continues to evolve beyond simplified models to embrace a more nuanced perspective that honours individual experiences.
The conversation about grief often begins with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s pioneering work from 1969, which introduced the world to the Five Stages of Grief model. This framework, initially developed through observations of terminally ill patients, eventually became a touchstone for understanding emotional responses to various forms of loss.
The traditional five stages include:
More recent adaptations have expanded this model to include seven stages, adding initial shock before denial and a testing phase before acceptance. This expanded framework acknowledges the complexity of emotional responses that may not fit neatly into five discrete categories.
While the Kübler-Ross model provides a helpful vocabulary for discussing grief, contemporary research emphasizes that grief rarely progresses in a linear fashion. People don’t simply move from denial to anger to bargaining and so forth in a predictable sequence. Rather, grieving individuals often oscillate between different emotional states, sometimes experiencing multiple feelings simultaneously or revisiting stages they thought they had processed.
The Dual Process Model represents a significant evolution in our understanding of grief. Unlike stage-based models, this approach recognizes two concurrent processes that grieving individuals navigate:
| Aspect | Loss-Oriented Focus | Restoration-Oriented Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Concern | Processing the emotional pain of absence | Adapting to a changed world without the lost person/thing |
| Typical Activities | Crying, reminiscing, looking at photos | Learning new skills, establishing new routines |
| Psychological Needs | Acknowledging and expressing pain | Building capacity for the changed reality |
| Cognitive Process | Meaning-making and reflection | Problem-solving and future planning |
What makes this model particularly valuable is its recognition that oscillation between these two orientations is not only normal but healthy. Some days, a grieving person needs to sit with their pain and memories; other days, they need to focus on rebuilding and moving forward.
This understanding is especially relevant for NDIS participants who may be simultaneously processing grief while managing the ongoing challenges of disability.
Contemporary grief research challenges several long-held assumptions about “normal” grieving. Rather than prescribing a universal timeline or specific emotional sequence, current perspectives emphasize several key principles:
Grief is highly individualised: No two people process loss in exactly the same way. Cultural background, relationship to the deceased, personality, previous losses, and support systems all influence how grief manifests.
Continuing bonds: Modern approaches recognize that maintaining a connection with the deceased can be healthy and comforting. Rather than “letting go,” many find solace in transforming their relationship with the person they’ve lost.
Meaning reconstruction: Finding meaning in loss—whether through legacy projects, charitable work, or simply integrating the experience into one’s life narrative—often plays a crucial role in adapting to grief.
Resilience is common: Research indicates that most people have an inherent capacity to adapt to loss. While grief may never fully disappear, most grieving individuals find ways to reinvest in life while carrying their grief with them.
Australian research specifically highlights that 66% of bereaved individuals report unmet support needs, particularly younger adults and spouses. This finding underscores the importance of accessible grief services that respond to the unique needs of different demographic groups.
Effective grief management typically combines several approaches:
Emotional processing allows individuals to acknowledge and express their feelings through activities like journaling, art therapy, or counselling. Evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can provide structured support for emotional processing.
Practical adaptation involves developing skills and routines that support daily functioning in a changed reality. This might include learning to manage finances, cook meals, or maintain social connections.
Social support remains crucial, with research indicating that 66.7% of Australians find family and friends essential during bereavement. However, approximately 8.9% benefit from professional support, particularly when grief is complicated by other factors.
For those with complex needs, services like those provided by Ararat Wellness offer tailored approaches that integrate mindfulness practices with behavioural strategies. These approaches help clients navigate both the emotional processing of loss and the practical challenges of adapting to change.
It’s worth noting that effective grief support balances validation of emotional pain with practical assistance in restructuring life after loss. This balanced approach is particularly important for neurodiverse individuals and families managing complex grief circumstances.
Australians experiencing grief have access to several national and local resources:
Digital Support:
The MyGrief App, developed by the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, offers 24/7 digital support for those navigating loss.
Crisis Services:
Griefline (1300 845 745) provides dedicated grief-specific telephone support.
Local Resources:
In Ararat specifically, the Adult Community Team offers mental health support for individuals aged 25 and older, while Ballarat Health Services provides additional regional resources.
NDIS Participants:
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has established bereavement protocols that streamline processes for handling participant deaths, recognizing the unique challenges faced by the disability community during times of loss.
These structured supports complement the informal networks that most Australians rely on during bereavement. However, the documented gap between support needs and service utilization suggests that raising awareness about available resources remains an important focus.
While grief is universal, its expression varies significantly across individuals and populations. Several factors influence these differences:
Cultural context shapes mourning practices, timeframes for grieving, and expectations about emotional expression. What appears as “normal grief” in one cultural setting may be viewed differently in another.
Relationship to the deceased profoundly affects the grief experience. The loss of a child, spouse, parent, or friend each carries unique psychological challenges.
Nature of the loss matters significantly. Sudden, traumatic, or ambiguous losses (where closure is difficult) often complicate the grieving process.
Co-occurring challenges can compound grief. NDIS participants may simultaneously manage disability-related needs alongside bereavement, requiring specialized support that addresses both dimensions.
Age and developmental stage influence how grief is understood and processed. Children, adolescents, and adults experience and express grief differently.
Understanding these variations helps dispel myths about “correct” ways to grieve and encourages more compassionate, individualised responses to those experiencing loss.
The journey through grief is neither linear nor predictable. Contemporary understanding has moved beyond rigid stage models to embrace the complex, oscillating nature of grief—recognizing that individuals may move back and forth between intense emotional processing and future-oriented adaptation.
While models provide helpful frameworks, each person’s grief is uniquely shaped by their relationship with what was lost, their personal history, cultural background, and support systems. The growing emphasis on individualised approaches acknowledges that there is no single “right way” to grieve.
As our understanding continues to evolve, so too do the resources available to support those navigating loss. From digital tools to specialized counselling services, Australians have increasingly diverse options for finding support that aligns with their specific needs and circumstances.
Perhaps most importantly, contemporary perspectives on grief validate the ongoing nature of the experience. Rather than expecting grief to be “resolved” or “completed,” we now recognize that many people incorporate their losses into their continuing life narrative—finding ways to move forward while still honoring what they have lost.
If you need support or have questions about navigating grief, please contact us at Ararat Wellness.
No, contemporary research suggests grief rarely follows a linear progression through distinct stages. While the Kübler-Ross model (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) offers helpful language for discussing grief, most people experience these emotions in varying orders, intensities, and durations. Many individuals report cycling through different emotional states or experiencing multiple feelings simultaneously.
There is no standard timeline for grief. The intensity and duration vary widely depending on factors including the nature of the loss, relationship to what was lost, available support systems, and individual coping resources. While acute grief symptoms often diminish in intensity over time, many people experience anniversary reactions or grief surges years after a loss. Current understanding recognizes that aspects of grief may persist indefinitely as part of a healthy adjustment.
Normal grief encompasses the wide range of emotional, cognitive, and physical responses that typically follow significant loss. Complicated grief (sometimes called prolonged grief disorder) involves persistent, intense grief that significantly impairs functioning over an extended period. Key differences include the duration and intensity of distress, degree of functional impairment, and presence of maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that interfere with adaptation. About 7-10% of bereaved individuals develop complicated grief requiring specialized intervention.
Effective support balances emotional validation with practical assistance. Listen without judgment or attempting to “fix” their pain. Acknowledge their loss directly rather than avoiding the topic. Offer specific, practical help rather than saying “call if you need anything.” Remember that grief doesn’t follow a timeline—support may be needed long after others have moved on. Recognize that everyone grieves differently, and avoid comparing losses or suggesting how someone “should” feel.
While grief and depression share some symptoms, they are distinct experiences. Grief typically involves waves of emotion that come and go, often triggered by reminders of the loss, whereas depression tends to be more persistent and pervasive. In grief, self-esteem usually remains intact, while depression often involves pervasive feelings of worthlessness. Grief commonly includes both painful and positive memories of what was lost, while depression typically lacks this emotional range. However, prolonged grief can sometimes develop into depression, particularly when inadequately supported.
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