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My Grief Assumptions Inventory

Identify beliefs about grief that may be helping or hindering your support.

Week 1
Appendix A

Common Grief Assumptions

Grief should follow a predictable timeline
If someone is laughing or having fun, they must be 'over it'
Talking about the deceased will make the griever feel worse
My job is to help them feel better
There's a right thing to say that will help
Grief that lasts more than a year is abnormal
Strong people grieve less visibly

Reflection

Which assumption am I most attached to? Why?
Where did I learn this belief about grief?
How might this belief affect how I show up for the person I'm supporting?
© 2026 Linda Curran, BCPC, LPC, CAADC, CCDPD | Good Grief, Complicated Grief & Traumatic Grief