Secondary grief can occur with people who are not directly related to the ill or deceased person, but have a connection to them through their spouse or significant other. Both parties have emotional needs and an escalated need for support during these times, yet often we become separated rather than unified. The temptation to withdraw or isolate oneself is strong, which is when we need to be intentional about communicating they are not alone.

Grief is a complicated cycle that happens after the loss of a loved one, someone you have formed a close bond to and can even be experienced in a secondary manner. Grief does not always have a connection to physical death but can also have links to a loss of a friendship, job, church, or even a routine that you were used to doing.