What to Expect in Grief: Finding Meaning
By Patricia D Freudenberg
As we continue our journey through the stages and transformations of grief, today we spotlight a crucial and often understated milestone: finding meaning. This concept, brought into the public’s healing consciousness by grief expert David Kessler, offers a powerful shift—from asking “Why did this happen?” to discovering “What now?”
In his book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, Kessler acknowledges that while meaning does not erase the pain, it can begin to soften it. This phase does not demand that we make sense of loss in a logical way. Rather, it invites us to look at how we choose to live in response to our loss.
Finding meaning is not about silver linings or forcing positivity. It’s about weaving the memory of our loved one into our future—through actions, causes, words, and presence. It’s about remembering with love instead of just pain. As Kessler wisely notes, “Each person’s grief is as unique as their fingerprint.”
When we start to find meaning, a quiet peace often follows. This peace does not declare the grief over; instead, it offers a place to rest, reflect, and continue forward with purpose. Whether through a creative expression, legacy project, acts of service, or simply speaking their name out loud, finding meaning is a sacred step in healing.
Reflection Prompt: What action, symbol, or tradition could you start—or have already started—that gives your loved one’s memory continued presence and meaning in your life?
Book Recommendation: Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler is a must-read for anyone navigating loss. It gently guides readers into a deeper understanding of how love lives on through the meaning we create.
Available on Amazon ⬇️
Finding Meaning
© 2025 Patricia D. Freudenberg, Certified
End-of-Life Coach. All Rights Reserved
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