Free Resource
What Grief Research Actually Says
A plain-language guide to three decades of peer-reviewed grief research — and why it changes how we support people through loss.
What's in the guide
Why the five stages were never meant for the bereaved
Kübler-Ross described the experience of dying patients — not grieving families. The misapplication has caused real harm.
The Dual Process Model
The most widely accepted framework in contemporary grief research. Grief oscillates — it doesn't progress in stages.
Tasks of Mourning
Worden's reframe: grief is active work, not passive endurance. Four tasks that actually describe what adaptation looks like.
Continuing Bonds Theory
The goal is not to let go. Research supports maintaining connection with the deceased as healthy and adaptive.
Meaning Reconstruction, Self-Compassion, and the Companioning Model
Five more frameworks that shape how Live and Grieve™ is built — and what good grief support actually looks like.
What this means for how we support people
Practical implications for communities, facilitators, chaplains, counselors, and anyone who walks alongside loss.
“We built Live and Grieve™ on every framework in this guide. If you want to understand why we built it the way we did — this is the place to start.”
— Wayne & Jamie Simms, Tri-Pillars™ LLC
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The guide explains the research. The program puts it into practice.