A Comparative Analysis of Stage and Task Models of the Grieving Process

A comparative analysis of stage and task models of the grieving process
The feeling of loss is present among humans universally. What is different is the way this sense of
loss of expressed, adopted and coped. Expression of this loss is known as grief and mourning, which
vary from individual to individual, community to community, country to country. Despite a wide
range of studies, there is no generally agreed definition of grieving. Many terms are used to describe
aspects of grieving. Bereavement is having the experience of loss; grief is the cognitive, emotional,
psychological and behavioural reaction to the loss and finally mourning is the practice based in
culture through which the bereavement and grief are expressed (Howarth, 2011). To examine the
process of bereavement and grief scientists have developed models of which some are stage based,
and some are task-based. This paper will draw a comparative analysis of these two types of theories.
Stage-based models
Among the theorists who believe that people go through various stages while dealing with loss,
Kuber-Ross is most famous for her influential book On Death and Dying published in 1969. She
developed the model to explain how a dying person reacts to the impending death. Kuber-Ross
identified five stages that a dying person encounters namely denial, anger, bargaining, depression,
and acceptance. Initially, it was believed that these stages occur in a stepwise and liner fashion, but
later Kuber-Ross stated that these stages are like descriptions rather than prescriptions to follow. An
individual can navigate form one to another readily. This theory gained maximum popularity and
drew academic acclaiming, but these stages were never empirically tested to prove the real
bereavement of a dying person.
Other prominent stage based theories are by Bowlby (1982) which describes “processes of
mourning” where he identified yearning and searching, disorganization and despair and lastly
recognition as primary stages. Parkes (1966) expanded the model and added a phase of numbness at
the beginning of grief.
Rando (1993) talked about “six Rs” of bereavement that included “recognize the loss”, “react to what
has happened”, “recollect and renew memories associated with the loss” “relinquish the world as it
once was”, “readjust the life after the loss” and “reinvest and reenter the world”. Sander (1999)
developed her five stages of grief process as shock, awareness of loss, withdrawal, healing and
renewal.
These theories make one thing clear that there are different ways of describing the grief process
which can be approached from varied perspectives.
Task based models
A few scientists developed task-based model of grief where the grief process is compared with the
developmental task that individuals must learn to move forward in life. Worden (1991, 2001)
identified these tasks as the following:
 Acknowledge the truth of the loss
 Process the pain associated to grief
 Adjust to the circumstances where the person who is dead is missed
 Find an everlasting connection with the departed person while advancing with the new life.

Worden believed that not completing this task is synonymous with not living. One needs to
remember that life goes on even when someone dies. It is important for people not to lose hope and
continue to lead their lives with some sense of purpose and worth. These tasks constitute different
goals that one should strive for even when faced with grief and sadness. The relationship that the
person had with those who he or she has lost continues to evolve and change as the person does.
There are times that that person may feel closer to his or her loved ones, and times when that person
needs to remind himself or herself to go on with life despite the feeling the absence. People can take
help from therapists or a member of their religious or spiritual community who can help them finding
the way of coping with the grief and at the same time carry on with life. People can find a more
cosmic bond with the lost dear one in course of their lives.
The comparison
Both the stage based model and the task based models indicate important aspects of grieving process.
While the stage-based models offer an explanation of the inward process of being bereaved, the task-
based model views the process with an outward perspective.
Another point of departure between the two types of model is that stage-based models tend to think
these stages as consecutive steps which occurs one after the another in a liner manner. But task-based
model has no such underlying assumption. According to the task-based model, a person can start
from any step and navigate to any other step in any order that is suitable for him or her.
The stage based models do not act as a guiding map for a bereaved person on how to overcome the
pain and find a new way to life. They merely state what are the phases people usually face when
grief-stricken. The task-based model sets a few goals before the person going through bereavement
which gradually help him or her to come of out of the state and see a life beyond the loss despite
staying deeply connected with the person who they have lost. The task-based models take care of the
emotions of the persons in the state of grief better compared to the stage-based models.
Conclusion
The grieving process is unique for every person. They are like fingerprints which never have any
duplicates. Therefore, theorizing grieving process into models is rather a futile exercise. However,
these models provide a very board idea of what the grieving process generally can be. These models
also help people rationalize their feelings when faced with a loss. They act as supports to their
tormented souls.
For social scientists and therapists, these models allow them to understand people better in order to
help them overcome the phase. Despite knowing that each individual responds to grief in their own
ways, these group of people can formulate support customised for individuals based on the
guidelines offered by the task-based models so that the bereaved persons can move in life
overcoming the grief and finds a purpose of life.
Reference
Howarth, R.A. (2011). Concepts and controversies in grief and loss. Journal of Mental Health
Counselling, 33 (1), pp.4-11.