Why the 5 Stages of Grief Model Is Outdated

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While groundbreaking in its time, research — and lived experience — have shown that grief doesn’t move in neat, predictable stages. 

Where the 5 Stages Came From Kübler-Ross originally developed her model to describe how terminally ill patients face their own mortality, not how survivors process loss 

Grief isn’t linear — there is no finish line. - People often cycle back and forth between feelings. - Not everyone experiences all five stages. - It can leave grievers feeling “broken” when they don’t follow the expected pattern. 

The Four Tasks of Mourning Worden’s model offers flexibility and better reflects real-life grief experiences.