[Mourning after suicide; an exploratory study]

After the death of a relative a variety of emotional and behavioral responses occur, which can be labeled as 'mourning'. After summarizing some theories on mourning, a pilot study is described among 12 persons whose partner have committed suicide. The findings were compared with existing studies on mourning after a natural death. The feelings which form a part of the mourning process after a suicide, also appear after the loss by natural death: sorrow, anger and guilt. In case of suicide it seemed that the intensity and persistance of especially feelings of anger towards the partner and feelings of guilt were stronger. The motive behind the suicide was crucial to all interviewees. The answer to the question 'why' seems to have a stronger influence on the mourning process than in case of a natural death. Feelings of shame and fear of being accused by others restrained many interviewees to tell the real cause of death. In comparison with studies among relatives whose partner died a natural death, in this study it occurred more frequently that contacts with in-laws were broken. Many interviewees had the experience that others avoided discussing the suicide, with the result that they became isolated.