Mona Lisa’s Understanding Grief — Kübler-Ross Model Handout
 
𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓪 𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪’𝓼
Behavioral Health & Wellness Coaching & Consulting
 
🌸 UNDERSTANDING GRIEF
 
A Gentle Guide Through Loss & Healing
Small Steps • Meaningful Change • A Healthier You
 
💜 GRIEF IS PERSONAL
 
Grief is a natural response to loss.
When we lose someone or something meaningful, we may experience many different emotions. Grief can affect our thoughts, feelings, body, relationships, routines, and sense of identity.
There is no “right” way to grieve.
You may experience some emotions strongly, while others may not appear at all. You may move between feelings, revisit them, or experience several at the same time.
Grief is not a straight line.
Healing does not mean forgetting.
It means learning, little by little, how to carry your loss while continuing to live.
 
🌿 THE KÜBLER-ROSS MODEL
 
Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross described five emotional responses often associated with grief and loss.
They are commonly described as:
 
1. DENIAL
“This can't be happening.”
You may feel shocked, numb, confused, or disconnected.
Denial can sometimes give us time to process a painful reality gradually.
I may be experiencing:
 
2. ANGER
“Why is this happening?”
Anger may be directed toward ourselves, others, circumstances, a healthcare system, God, or simply the situation itself.
Anger can be a response to pain, helplessness, or injustice.
What am I feeling angry about?
 
3. BARGAINING
“If only…”
You may find yourself thinking about what could have been different or imagining ways the loss could have been prevented.
Thoughts might include:
“If only I had…”
“What if…”
“I wish I could go back…”
A thought I am carrying:
 
4. DEPRESSION
“This hurts.”
Sadness, loneliness, emptiness, fatigue, or withdrawal may occur as the reality of the loss becomes more deeply felt.
You may need extra support during this time.
Something that may help me feel supported is:
 
5. ACCEPTANCE
“I am learning to live with this.”
Acceptance does not mean that you are happy about the loss or that you no longer miss what you lost.
It can mean gradually acknowledging the reality of the loss and finding ways to move forward while continuing to honor what mattered.
Something I want to carry forward from this experience is:
 
🌱 IMPORTANT: GRIEF DOES NOT FOLLOW A FORMULA
 
The five responses are not required stages that everyone experiences in order.
You might experience:
Acceptance → anger → sadness → peace → anger again.
You might experience several emotions in one day.
You might not experience some of these feelings at all.
There may also be moments of laughter, joy, relief, gratitude, or peace alongside grief.
None of these feelings mean that you are grieving incorrectly.
 
💚 CARING FOR YOURSELF WHILE GRIEVING
During grief, basic self-care can become especially important.
Try to give yourself permission to:
☐ Rest when you need to
☐ Eat regular, nourishing meals
☐ Drink water
☐ Take a walk or move gently
☐ Spend time outside
☐ Talk with someone you trust
☐ Allow yourself to feel your emotions
☐ Take breaks from difficult conversations
☐ Maintain simple routines
☐ Remember and honor your loved one
☐ Ask for help
Today, I can care for myself by:
 
🕊️ HONORING THE LOSS
There are many ways to honor someone or something that has been lost.
You might:
Look through photographs
Write a letter
Create a memory box
Listen to meaningful music
Visit a meaningful place
Share stories
Light a candle
Create a personal ritual
Continue a tradition
Spend time with supportive people
One way I would like to honor my loss:
 
🌸 MY GRIEF CHECK-IN
Today I am feeling:
☐ Sad
☐ Angry
☐ Lonely
☐ Numb
☐ Confused
☐ Guilty
☐ Relieved
☐ Peaceful
☐ Hopeful
☐ Overwhelmed
☐ Other: __________________________
What do I need today?
☐ Someone to listen
☐ Quiet time
☐ Rest
☐ Connection
☐ Space
☐ Encouragement
☐ Practical help
☐ Professional support
☐ Other: __________________________
Something I want to say but haven't been able to:
 
🌻 MY SUPPORT CIRCLE
I don't have to walk through grief completely alone.
Someone I trust:
Name: ______________________________________
Contact: ____________________________________
Another person I can reach out to:
Name: ______________________________________
Contact: ____________________________________
A professional I can talk with:
 
✨ A GENTLE REMINDER
There is no timeline for grief.
Some days may feel manageable.
Other days may feel heavy.
Be patient with yourself.
You are allowed to remember.
You are allowed to cry.
You are allowed to laugh.
You are allowed to have a good day.
You are allowed to grieve in your own way.
Healing doesn't mean forgetting.
It means learning to carry the love, memories, and meaning forward.
 
𝓜𝓸𝓷𝓪 𝓛𝓲𝓼𝓪’𝓼
Behavioral Health & Wellness Coaching & Consulting
Your Wellness. Your Journey. Your Next Small Step.
This handout is intended for general education, wellness, and self-reflection. Grief can be complicated and may sometimes require professional mental health support. If grief is overwhelming, persistent, or significantly affecting your ability to function, consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact emergency services or a crisis service in your area.