The Importance of Farewell Rituals in the Grief Process

Abstract

This article sought to investigate the importance of farewell rituals in the grieving process, analyzing both their function in the recognition and symbolization of loss and their implications for the mental health of the bereaved. Through a bibliographic search conducted in the SciELO, PePSIC, BVS, and LILACS databases, studies addressing funeral rituals, symbolic experiences, and different ways of coping with death were selected. The results showed that farewell rituals act as fundamental symbolic mediators, helping the individual to emotionally integrate the reality of absence and reorganize their life in the face of loss. It was also possible to identify that the interruption of rites, as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with increased psychological suffering, complicated grief, and a sense of symbolic discontinuity. It is concluded that rituals, whether traditional, adapted, or personalized, are essential devices for care, emotional expression, and subjective reconstruction, constituting fundamental practices for the healthy coping with loss and for promoting the well-being of the bereaved.