How is Grief “Uniquely Normal”?

We understand that grief is “the normal and natural reaction to loss of any kind.” (James and Friedman) In fact, grief is “as natural to every person as breathing. It is inevitable!” (Westberg). But, did you know that grief is “uniquely normal?”

Grief is natural and normal; yet, it is unique to each person. Cynthia Bailey-Rugs states that grief “is as unique as your fingerprint, and like finger prints, no two people’s grief is exactly alike.” (Cynthia Bailey-Rug) As finger prints (and snow flakes) are unique, no two people grieve the same. Yet, there are generalizations that have been made from studying grief that identify normal grief symptoms. Normal symptoms can be emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral; but, that doesn’t mean that everyone has every symptom. We are all unique, and will experience grief in our own unique way. Some people may display similar grief symptoms, but no one will be completely like you. You are “uniquely normal.”