Funeral Arts National Board Practice Exam

Which scenario can cause complicated grief due to socially unspeakable circumstances?

1. Death from old age

2. Abortion

3. Death of a family pet

4. Unexpected illness

The correct answer is: Abortion

Complicated grief often arises from situations that society finds difficult to discuss, leading to feelings of isolation for the bereaved individual. In the case of abortion, the death of a potential life can evoke a complex mixture of emotions, including grief, guilt, and shame, which are often compounded by societal stigma. This social perspective can make it challenging for those grieving due to abortion to express their feelings or seek support, leaving them to navigate their grief alone, which can amplify emotional struggle. Other scenarios, such as death from old age or the death of a family pet, generally have more established societal rituals and forms of mourning allowing for communal support. Unexpected illness may bring about grief too, but it tends to be more immediately recognized and supported within social contexts compared to the sensitive nature surrounding abortion. This distinction highlights why abortion can lead to a uniquely complicated grief experience.