The importance of "aftercare", from our viewpoint, cannot be emphasized enough. Barbara LesStrange, a grief specialist, points out, for example that "If we don't deal with our grief, it will deal with us". She further notes that unresolved grief, along with drug and alcohol abuse, is one of the major problems facing our society today. In fact one recent survey found that 80 percent of the patients in U.S. hospitals had experienced the loss of a loved one during the six months prior to their admission to the hospital.

Obviously, those who are grieving the loss of a loved one need as much help as possible coping with the permanent, life-changing experience of *"saying goodbye". This is particularly true at special times such as birthdays, anniversaries (death, wedding, etc.) or holidays. that is also the case during the difficult "peak" periods of grief that occur approximately every 3 months. (Although there is no absolute timetable, the healing process of grief can be expected to last up to two years and sometime even longer).

Gradually, things will get better for those who grieve. Although life will never be the same again - although it will never return to "normal" - a new "normal" and different life will become possible through patience and prayer and the caring support of others.

It should be noted that the experience of grief is different for every person. Men, women, and children, for example, all grieve differently - as do spouses and parents and siblings. Moreover, the experience of grief is different depending on the nature of the death (natural, sudden, accidental, suicide, violent, etc.) and the age of the person who died and the closeness of relationship with him or her. It is important, therefore, that the type of assistance and support provided be tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual who is grieving.