Grieving the Loss of a Companion Animal: Pastoral Perspective and Personal Narrative regarding One Sort of Disenfranchised Grief

Abstract

People grieve because of the death of their companion animals; however, this grief is often overlooked or trivialized as an insignificant form of mourning. In this essay Tarris Rosell helps define disenfranchised grief and brings it into a practical pastoral perspective. He provides readers with sensitive ways to consider the impact that the loss of a companion animal can have on a grieving individual. Beside the pastoral definition of disenfranchised grief, the author also provides a thoughtful and touching personal narrative of his family's grief, rituals and healing regarding the loss of their companion animal.