As time goes by, the intensity and frequency of the feelings of loss tend to diminish, although they often return with renewed intensity on the anniversary of the death and other occasions, such as birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Day, or other holidays. The stages of grief should not be regarded as a rigid sequence that is only felt once. The bereaved person may feel despair many times before reaching the final stage, called reorganization. After a major loss, appetite for food often returns first. However, it may be many months before bereaved people begin to care about their appearance and their sexual and social appetite returns.
Many people realize they are recovering in the course of the second year.
In recent years, research has helped identify people at special risk after bereavement, either because the circumstances of the bereavement are traumatic or the person is very vulnerable. It is very important to offer emotional support and to answer questions that may be troubling the family about death and its causes. Newly bereaved people often feel frightened for a while and respond to the best kind of support. During the first weeks after the loss, they need support from people they trust. Reassure them that grief is common, explain its symptoms, and show, through our attitude, that expressing grief is permissible.