“The grave does not obliterate the place of the sibling in the family.”
Klass, Silverman & Nickman, authors of
Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief
Continuing Bonds
Adult Sibling Loss: Continuing Bonds
Siblings are a strong part of our identities and remain an integral part of our lives even after death. Surviving siblings find ways to continue their "relationship" by keeping their memories alive and incorporating them into the present. This continuing bond not only helps the grieving process, but allowing siblings to redefine themselves, find meaning, and purpose in their lives.
Dr. Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, explains the importance of continuing bonds between surviving and deceased siblings.
Continuing bonds is an essential aspect of coping and readjustment. Surviving siblings indicate that not only did their attachments remain but their sibling continued to define the trajectory of their lives. This demonstrates that bonds and influence endure even after death.
