Purpose of Anticipatory Grief

Conventional grief, the kind of grief that occurs after the loss of a loved one, or even loss of one’s dreams, is commonly discussed and understood.

Anticipatory grief is a lesser-known dimension of grief, something which occurs before death (or any great loss).

Anticipatory grief is feeling unsure of what the future holds. It is that same feeling when someone gets a grave diagnosis. 

We know there is a storm brewing, and it breaks our sense of safety on a micro and a macro level.

• Sadness and tearfulness, often triggered by any outside input.
• Fear of death and the loss, along with the life changes that may accompany the loss.
• Feeling of loneliness, as the person feeling anticipatory grief is unable to express it.
• Anger, both in the person d...