Although for the religious person death can be viewed as a joyful
             passing from this natural life to an eternal spiritual existence, the
             subject of death is still not easy to address. Our lives hold so many
             hopes, dreams, and plans, and when death comes, it means a sure end to all
             that we had hoped to accomplish, and all that we have done. Relationships
             will no longer enrich us, and the loved one, although believing to pass on
             into eternal bliss, often passes through a gateway of pain or disease
             When we experience a major loss, grief is the normal and natural way
             our mind and body react. Although everyone grieves differently, a common
             pattern has been identified of 5 specific stages of the grieving process.
             Someone experiencing grief moves through this series of emotional stages
             which include shock, numbness, guilt, anger and denial. Physical responses
             can accompany these steps in the grieving process. They can include:
             sleeplessness, inability to eat or concentrate, lack of energy, and lack of
             interest in activities previously enjoyed. Finally, time always plays an
             important role in the grieving process. As the days, weeks and months go
             by, the person who is experiencing loss moves through emotional and
             physical reactions that normally lead back toward acceptance, healing and
             getting on with life as fully as possible.
             Sometimes a person can become emotionally overwhelmed in the grieving
             process, and stay locked on one of the staged for a prolonged period of
             time. There is no set time table for this process, and one often completes
             one step, and after time passes, cycles through the same step when
             different memories surface regarding the deceased. Serious losses are
             never easy to deal with, but someone who is having trouble beginning to
             actively re-engage in life after a few months should consider getting
             professional help. For example, if continual depression o...