Grief is the response we have to losing someone and the grievance process is most commonly associated with someone dying – but it can describe other life events involving loss such as the end of a relationship. It is a personal experience and there is no rule book about how you may or should feel, or for how long.

An individual may feel a number of emotions at different points. There is no time limit on these feelings. It is generally accepted that there are four stages of grief:

1. Accepting that your loss is real
2. Experiencing the pain of grief
3. Adjusting to life without the individual who has died
4. Putting less emotional energy into grieving and putting it into something new

Moving through each of these stages may not be smooth or in this order, and grief can at times feel painful and confusing. While this is normal, some individuals may need more support to help them.