Grief and the Role of the Inner Representation of the Deceased

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research is to determine whether memories of the deceased play active roles in the ongoing lives of survivors. Twenty-six men and forty-five women, aged eighteen to fifty-four, described a significant death. Four roles were reliably identified and labeled role model, situation specific guidance, values clarification, and remembrance formation. Role adoption was predicted by closeness of relationship and suddenness of death. The anticipated association of the role with relationship to deceased and with degree of grief resolution was not found. Results were discussed in relation to mainstream theories of grief resolution and grief therapy.