Granting Permission: Toward Embracing Grief

J Soc Work End Life Palliat Care. 2025 Jan 12:1-22. doi: 10.1080/15524256.2024.2447313. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Grief, unavoidable and often excruciating, is rarely sufficiently acknowledged or supported in Western society. It is not granted permission to exist without barriers. By considering and evaluating grief experiences through the lens of their access to permission, clinicians can collectively imagine and promote inclusivity in grief. Permission is presented as a conceptual framework and clinical tool, with broader micro- and macro-level applications for both professional and layperson engagement, offering a foundation for further implementation and research.

Keywords: Death; grief; palliative care; permission; stigma.