Death is an emotionally devastating event. To grieve is a natural response, and can bring healing and growth into our lives. We must allow ourselves to grieve, without denial, but also without becoming incapacitated and losing interest in life. It's also essential that we express our grief from ambiguous losses, such as when the person we love or care for may still be alive but our relationship has changed through dementia. For empathic caregivers, the burden of grief and ambiguous loss adds to the physical and emotional toll of their work and increases their need for awareness and self-care.