What is DISENFRANCHISED grief?

Disenfranchised grief refers to the type of grief that is not openly recognized, supported, or validated by society or the surrounding community. This can occur in situations where an individual experiences a loss that others do not acknowledge as significant, such as the loss of a pet, a relationship that has ended, or the death of a figure who is not a family member. The lack of social support and the feeling of isolation can deepen the pain of the bereaved, making it more challenging to navigate their feelings and find healing.

In contrast, grief experienced after a natural disaster tends to be more publicly recognized, and the community often rallies together to support those impacted. Socially supported grief is acknowledged and shared within the community, whereas grief experienced during a public funeral is also recognized and typically has communal support. In these cases, mourners receive validation and acknowledgment from their surroundings, which contrasts sharply with the experience of disenfranchised grief.