MODULE TWO: COUNSELLING - FHI 360 Center for Global Health ...

•There may be considerable anger, especially if the death is caused by
violence or is perceived as senseless
•There may be a sense of abandonment
•Those left behind may suffer from survival guilt
•Those left behind may remember the moment they learned of the death
in great detail
•Survivors may have to deal with the police inquiries or law suits
In an expected death, such as one due to an illness…
•The shock is lessened to some extent
•There is time to conclude any unfinished business
•There is time to say goodbye properly
•The end of a loved one’s suffering can come as a relief
•The death can be easier to accept if everything has been done to comfort
and love the deceased
In most cases, AIDS deaths are expected. This may not be true, however, if the
AIDS victim was estranged from his/her family or had been out of contact with
them for a long time. In this case, the death may be quite unexpected. In
either scenario, an AIDS death can be harder to cope with than other types of
deaths. Those who lose loved ones to AIDS may be faced with issues relating
to…
♦Shame and fear of social rejection
♦Horror at the nature of dying (due to very unpleasant and painful
opportunistic infections)
♦Fear of having contracted HIV infection through caring for the AIDS
patient
♦Possible HIV infection of other family members (spouses, children)
♦Possible homosexuality issues and taboos
♦Anger at the deceased if HIV was contracted through risky behaviour
These are just a few examples. Encourage participants to add their own ideas
about special issues relating to death from AIDS.
Session 9 – Pg. 4