Role of Ritual in the Treatment of Disenfranchised Grief
There is a wide range of practices related to making meaning of loss across history and various cultures. Based on the community involved, most traditions include gathering together to mourn the deceased and offer bereaved people comfort and sympathy. A ritual such as a funeral can help the bereaved integrate their experiences of loss into their lives (Mooren et al., 2019). The funeral also offers an opportunity to express their gratitude for the deceased’s contribution. Rituals may also legitimize grief speech and change to accommodate a range of mourning forms. If grief is disenfranchised, they are of great importance because they can assist disenfranchised grievers in claiming and naming their losses.
Doka suggests eight psychological benefits to be derived from a ritual such as a funeral, by mourners, following bereavement (Doka, 1989). Mourning practices play a part in helping people cope and incorporate the sense of loss into their lives. If the bereaved were exempt or prohibited from taking part in such rituals and were not assisted in their grief, it might be beneficial to establish what Doka calls a therapeutic ritual. Perhaps if the loss happened in the past, so there was no time to mourn, developing such rituals of healing isn’t too late. Such rituals may be as simple as lighting a candle and saying the name of the person you lost. These rituals can be done individually or as a group, but for the bereaved, this needs to be important. Rituals remember the loss, and that it was real.
Some examples of rituals that can be used in a client setting are continuity rituals. These rituals demonstrate that the loved one lost is still a part of the client’s life and that the bond is still there. The therapist should urge the patient to bring something special that reminds them of their loved one, so when the need arises, they can take out and hold on to (Doka, 1989). A therapist can also use affirmation rituals. In these rituals, the therapist can help the client write a letter or poem to the deceased, thanking them for their love and support, to discharge any built-up regret.
References
Doka, K. J. (1989). Disenfranchised grief. In K. J. Doka (Ed.), Disenfranchised pie$ Recognizing hidden sorrow @p. 3-1 1). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
Mooren, H., Mitima-Verloop, T., & Boelen, P. (2019). Facilitating grief: An exploration of the function of funerals and rituals concerning grief reactions. Death Studies, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2019.1686090