In Grief: Remembering Only The Good

[Reviewed and updated May 30, 2026]

You should never say anything bad about the dead, only good. Joan Crawford is dead. Good.  ~ Bette Davis on the death of Joan Crawford

A reader writes: Recently I read something about finding a balance in one's mind of what was good and what was not so good in a past relationship. The idea was that remembering only the good can make it harder to come to terms with the loss. And they used a term for finding this balance. Marty, are there any articles you could suggest on this topic?

Caregiving and Hospice, April 26 - May 2, 2015

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Who Guides Hospice Volunteers? An Interview with Steven Willey, Hospice Volunteer Manager, Part Two, http://j.mp/1Jgzc3E « Seven Ponds Blog

Overcoming The Death Taboo By Just Talking About It, http://j.mp/1bp2Jwc « KUOW.org

Brilliant: Does Everything Happen for a Reason? http://j.mp/1GM1K4B « HuffPost GPS for The Soul

Understanding and Managing Grief, November 2 - November 8, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Grief In The Second Year: Finding Your Way, j.mp/wRiJJS « Grief Healing Blog

Covering the Basics of the Brain, Grief and Music, http://j.mp/1tqENub « What's Your Grief?

Insightful! On remembering the whole story in grief: Olive, http://j.mp/1ol23On « Grief Watch

Caregiving and Hospice, March 2 - March 8, 2014

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Special days and having the talk: good stuff here! http://j.mp/1dwsTeT « Modern Loss

Why This Wisconsin City Is The Best Place To Die, http://j.mp/1faGjtp « NPR

Clinical Dinosaurs, http://j.mp/1n6NXvs « Healing Doc Schlagbytes

Mourning An Abusive Relationship: Suggested Resources

Source

[Reviewed and updated January 22, 2026]

As discussed in earlier posts, mourning the death of a relationship can be especially difficult when colored by a history of physical or emotional abuse. Whether the abuse stemmed from addiction, abandonment, mental illness, dementia or any number of other causes, it can complicate the grief process ~ unless and until it is examined, processed, understood and overcome.

Here are some resources that can help ~ and as always, if you know of any that you'd like to see added to the list, please feel free to leave a comment, below.

Understanding and Managing Grief, August 18 - August 24, 2013

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Excellent! How long does grief last? http://j.mp/156myhD « Grief Helps

Beyond Surviving: after the suicide of a loved one, http://j.mp/1f9rEiE « SevenPonds Blog

Just outstanding: The Taboo Against Trauma, http://j.mp/19Mf1Nt « Maria Shriver

On a better understanding of depression and suicide, http://j.mp/16LUMgM « Widow's Voice

Suggestions for Coping with Sorrow in Grief, http://j.mp/15337u9 « Grief Healing Blog