They can do several things. They can put on a false face and pretend that everything is as rosy as ever. Conscious and unconscious denial, however, exact a terrible price psychologically.
People become inwardly bent and outwardly lame.
Life stops for them. This is a living death. Or people who suffer enormous loss can admit their loss, own their pain and endure their disappointment. They can admit, own, endure, and go back to work. They can begin doing once more what they have customarily done in the past.