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Lesson 3 of 3
  • Year 10

Grieving processes

I can explain some common processes of grief and how I can get support.

Lesson 3 of 3
New
New
  • Year 10

Grieving processes

I can explain some common processes of grief and how I can get support.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Grieving is not linear - people may move through stages in different orders.
  2. Common grieving stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
  3. There is no time limit for grief.
  4. Coping strategies include talking, writing, art, and time alone.
  5. Ongoing support can help manage long-term grief.

Keywords

  • Bereavement - the experience of losing a person that is important and significant to us

  • Grief - a physical and emotional response to a loss or bereavement

Common misconception

Someone should be 'over it' after a few weeks.

Grief has no set timeline; it’s normal to feel ups and downs over time, even years later.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Grieving processes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Reinforce the importance of empathy and non-judgement in peer conversations.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of mental health issues

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Why is grief described as personal?

because only certain people are allowed to feel it
Correct answer: because everyone experiences it in their own way
because it’s the same for everyone

Q2.
What emotion might someone feel during grief, besides sadness?

boredom
Correct answer: numbness
neither of these

Q3.
How can culture or beliefs affect how someone grieves?

Correct answer: they can influence the traditions or ways people express grief
they stop people from feeling sad
they make everyone grieve in the same way
they have no effect on how people cope

Q4.
Grief is a natural and response to loss.

Correct Answer: personal

Q5.
After the family dog dies, Priya feels sad for weeks but later starts drawing pictures of her pet to remember the good times. What does this show about her grief?

that she’s forgotten her pet
Correct answer: that she’s finding a healthy way to remember
that she isn’t feeling any emotions
that grief should only last a short time

Q6.
After his grandad dies, Leo sometimes feels angry at small things, then guilty for feeling that way. What does this show about grief?

that Leo is reacting in an unhealthy way
Correct answer: that it’s normal for grief to bring mixed emotions
that grief only causes sadness
that he should try to ignore how he feels

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to the definition.

Correct Answer:bereavement,the experience of losing a person who is important and significant

the experience of losing a person who is important and significant

Correct Answer:grief,a physical and emotional response to a loss or bereavement

a physical and emotional response to a loss or bereavement

Correct Answer:funeral,a ceremony held to remember and say goodbye to someone who has died

a ceremony held to remember and say goodbye to someone who has died

Q2.
What does it mean when people say grieving is not linear?

everyone goes through the same stages in the same order
Correct answer: people may move through stages in different orders and times
grief always gets better every day
grieving only happens once

Q3.
Which of these is one of the common stages of grief?

Correct answer: anger
excitement
confusion

Q4.
What is true about the time it takes to grieve?

it should be over within a few weeks
Correct answer: it depends on the person and situation
everyone needs the same amount of time
it never ends completely

Q5.
Which of these can be a healthy coping strategy for grief?

avoiding all memories of the person
Correct answer: talking to a trusted person or people
bottling up emotions

Q6.
Ongoing can help someone manage long-term grief.

Correct Answer: support