Mourning involves more than simply coping with sadness and loss—it includes a series of four tasks outlined by J. William Worden. These tasks include accepting the reality of the loss, experiencing the pain of grief, adjusting to life without the presence of what was lost, and moving forward into a new phase of life.
The 4 Tasks Of Mourning (PDF) handout provides guidance on moving forward from grief. It presents the four tasks using the acronym TEAR. Clients can use this handout in various settings, including therapy sessions, support groups, workshops, and individual counseling sessions.
Understanding the 4 tasks of mourning helps kids and teens to recognize that their grief is a normal reaction to their loss—and this allows them to work through it. This handout may be accompanied by the How To Cope With The 5 Stages Of Grief handout with specific techniques for each stage.
This handout is included in our 13-page Grief And Loss Handouts Bundle along with several other supportive resources for those enduring grief and loss.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of grief worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Golden, T. R. (2003). Tasks of Mourning. In Grieving Reproductive Loss: The Healing Process (p. 19).
- McNiel, A., & Schuurman, D. L. (n.d.). Supporting grieving children. Perinatal and Pediatric Bereavement in Nursing and Other Health Professions. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826129277.0017
- Palmer, M., Saviet, M., & Tourish, J. (2016). Understanding and supporting grieving adolescents and young adults. Pediatric Nursing, 42(6), 275-281.
- Sugar, M. (1968). Normal adolescent mourning. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 22(2), 258-269. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1968.22.2.258
