GRIEF AND THE ROLE OF THE INNER REPRESENTATION OF THE DECEASED

The primary purpose of this research is to determine whether memories of the deceased play active roles in the ongoing lives of survivors. T wenty-six men and forty-five women, aged eighteen to fifty-four, descr ibed a significant death. Four roles were reliably identified acid lab eled role model, situation specific guidance, values clarification, an d remembrance formation. Role adoption was predicted by closeness of r elationship and suddenness of death. The anticipated association of th e role with relationship to deceased and with degree of grief resoluti on was not found. Results were discussed in relation to mainstream the ories of grief resolution and grief therapy.