Whether your loss was sudden or anticipated, your relationship brief or long-term, everyone's experience with grief is different. Recognizing and understanding the varied pathways of grief is crucial to your healing process. As the shock subsides and the healing begins, it is imperative for survivors to identify their emotions and reactions as well as the actions of those around them. The often-noted inability of friends, family and society to deal with death and dying is confusing and hurtful, and at times can interfere with the ability to assimilate your loss.