Disenfranchised grief can be defined as the grief experienced by those who incur a loss that is not, or cannot be, openly acknowledged, publicly mourned or socially supported. Isolated in bereavement, it can be much more difficult to mourn and reactions are often complicated. It is importan to recognise and try to meet the needs of those whose grief is not acknowledged by society, whatever the emotional or financial costs. n all of the following vignettes, some I and, as a result of that loss, each is experiencing grief. Yet that grief is unacknowledged by others-it is disenfranchised.

When Rita’s best friend, Marsha, died, everyone asked Rita how Marsha’s husband and children were dealing with her death. Rita’s sense of loss was significant as well. Yet no one asked Rita about her grief. Tom, a young adult with developmental disabilities, experienced the death of his mother. But his siblings decided not to bring