Funeral Arts National Board Practice Exam

Which of the following is not one of the stages identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross?

1. Acceptance

2. Denial

3. Apathy

4. Bargaining

The correct answer is: Apathy

The concept of the stages of grief, as identified by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, includes five key stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each of these stages represents different emotional responses individuals may experience when faced with loss or illness. In this context, "apathy" does not belong to the recognized stages within Kübler-Ross’s model. While apathy may be a response in some individuals during periods of grief, it is not formally categorized as one of the stages. Thus, recognizing the stages of denial, bargaining, and acceptance distinguishes them as part of the established framework for understanding how people deal with grief. This distinction emphasizes the importance of the identified stages as foundational to the field of grief counseling and support.