The question of whether suicide bereavement is different from mourning
after other types of deaths has important theoretical and clinical implications.
Some recent literature reviews have argued that the differences may be minimal.
In contrast, this article suggests that suicide bereavement is distinct in three significant ways: the thematic content of the grief, the social processes surrounding the
survivor, and the impact suicide has on family systems. In addition, problems in
the methodology used to compare different bereavement experiences are addressed. Some clinical implications of these conclusions, including the need for
homogeneous support groups, psychoeducational services, and family and social
network interventions are also discussed