Understanding Grief and Loss through a Cultural Lens

Written By: Juanita Ibarra, Clinical Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program

HAVE YOU EVER FELTlike you didn’t know what to say to someone who was grieving? Many of us have been there, wanting to help, but unsure how.

Grief is one of those universal experiences that connects us all, yet it can feel deeply personal and different for everyone. Grief is a natural response to losing something or someone important. It can touch every part of us. It can show up as sadness, anger, guilt and numbness. Sometimes it comes in waves, and other times it lingers quietly in the background.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

Grief is more common than we often realize. Studies show that about one in five children in the United States will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18 (Child Bereavement Estimation Model, 2022). For adults, grief is part of life transitions that go beyond death, it can be felt after a breakup, immigration, health, or work. Grief touches both the heart and the mind and reminds us how deeply we care and connect.

How we experience grief is often shaped by culture, family, and personal beliefs. For some of us, grief is shared openly through storytelling, prayer, or community gatherings. For others, it lives in silence or small daily rituals that keep someone’s memory close. Each expression reflects the history, values, and resilience of the communities we come from.

Looking at grief through a cultural lens reminds us that healing does not happen alone. It is shaped by connection to our families, ancestors, language, and faith. In many Latinx communities, for example, Día de los Muertos is more than a tradition. It is a celebration of life and memory, a time where laughter and tears can exist together. It reminds us that love does not end with loss, it transforms and continues in new ways.

Grief can also affect more than just our emotions. It can impact our sleep, appetite, focus, and relationships. For youth and families, it may show up as irritability, disconnection, or loss of motivation. These are all normal responses to loss, even though they may look different across ages and cultures. Understanding these changes can help us approach others with more compassion and less judgment.

Ways to Support Others through a Cultural Lens

Listen with empathy. Sometimes people do not need advice, they just need to be seen and heard.
Ask before you assume. Each person and family grieves in their own way.
Honor traditions. Whether it is lighting a candle, cooking a favorite meal, or telling stories, rituals can bring comfort and connection.
Be patient. Grief has no timeline. Showing up consistently often means more than finding the perfect words.
Create safe spaces. Make room for reflection, storytelling, and cultural expression in healing spaces.

When we honor culture in the way we understand grief, we make space for people to heal in ways that feel true to them. Grief is not only about what we have lost, it is about how we continue to love, remember, and carry those who have shaped us.

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References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Grief. https://www.apa.org/topics/grief

Child Bereavement Estimation Model. (2022). Childhood Bereavement: Current statistics and trends. Judi’s House/JAG Institute. Retrieved from https://judishouse.org/resources/cbem