Does everyone feel guilty for feeling peace after a death?

Many people experience a complex mix of emotions after a loss, including moments of calm or even relief. This doesn't diminish the love or sorrow felt for the person who passed away. It's a natural human response to the cessation of suffering, whether it was theirs or yours in caring for them.

Research from bereavement studies indicates that approximately 60% of individuals report experiencing mixed emotions, including moments of relief or peace, alongside sorrow during the grieving period.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who feels guilty for feeling peace after a death?

Am I the Only One?

Is it normal to feel guilty for feeling peace after a death?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to feel peace, or even relief, after someone dies?

Is It Weird?

Why do I feel guilty for feeling peace after a death?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I still can’t quite believe she’s gone, like actually gone, and I keep replaying the moment she announced it in the morning stand-up, just so sudden and professional, and I swear I felt a literal… …

relief at loss

” And the entire time she was talking, all I could think about was the time she sent back a banner ad design for the FIFTH time, with a sticky note that just said, in her perfect, infuriating script,… …

relief at loss

I’m sitting on the floor right now, just staring at the empty takeout containers, and it's quiet for the first time in what feels like forever. …

relief at loss

ok so this is kinda messed up but the *relief* when they announced that mr. …

relief at loss

You know that feeling, that absolute SURGE of relief, when someone who's made every single day, every single day, a little bit worse just... …

relief at loss

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to feel relief when someone dies?▾
Yes, it is common to experience relief, especially if the person had a long illness or was suffering. This feeling often coexists with sadness and is a natural response to the end of prolonged distress.
Why do I feel calm after a loved one passes?▾
A sense of calm can emerge for several reasons, including the end of anticipatory grief, the cessation of caregiving responsibilities, or simply the body's natural response to an intense period of stress. It doesn't mean you cared less.
What if I don't feel sad after a death?▾
Grief manifests in many ways, and not everyone experiences immediate or overwhelming sadness. Some may feel numb, relieved, or even confused by their lack of tears. All emotional responses, or lack thereof, are part of the individual grieving experience.

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