Death also causes upheaval. On an emotional level, you lose a person upon whom you may have depended. The intensity of the grief reaction, however, is a function of how the loss is perceived. If, for example, loss follows a protracted illness in an elderly person it may be easier to accept than if it occurs prematurely and violently. Also, if there are unresolved issues with the deceased person or you have unresolved feelings from past losses, the grief may be more intense and more difficult to resolve.
People experience and express grief in different ways.
The time it takes to overcome the grief also varies from person to person. Note that even once the grief is processed, the loss remains with us and may be felt more acutely at certain times, such as anniversaries and special occasions. Try to share your grief with a family member or friend as this may help to lessen the pain. You may find your friends avoid you or are quick to cheer you up. This happens because others do not know what to say or because it stirs up their own sadness and fears of losing people.