Most prominent needs expressed by spouses and partners who have lost their mates as they pass through the various phases of the grief process:

• I need to be with others who know what I’m feeling
• I need help in accepting the loss I have experienced
• I need strength to deal with my present situation
• I need to share how I feel about why my spouse died
• I need help to learn to live with my hurt
• I need someone to care about me so that I do not feel so alone
• I need others who know what I’m feeling and who are willing to listen
• I need to discuss and set new values for my life
• I need to learn how to express my true feelings to people close to me
• I need emotional support
• I need to deal with the loneliness
• I need to improve communication with my family
• I need to find more constructive ways to live with my sorrow
• I need to understand some of my feelings of helplessness and loss
• I need support as I attempt to deal with the emotional impact of death
• I need to understand me
• I need a safe place to share personal thoughts about my spouse
• I need a safe place to just talk about everything
• I need someone who will listen