Continuing Bonds Redefining Connection After Loss Bereavement, the deep sense of loss that follows the death of a loved one, has long been framed in terms of severance and closure. Traditional models of grief once emphasised “letting go” as the key to healing, yet in recent decades, the concept of continuing bonds has transformed our understanding of healthy adjustment. Rather than viewing ongoing connections to the deceased as problematic, this perspective recognises that maintaining a meaningful relationship with those who have died can foster resilience, comfort, and even personal growth after loss. Origins of the Continuing Bonds Model The continuing bonds model emerged through the work of Dennis Klass, Phyllis Silverman, and Steven Nickman, whose influential 1996 book challenged the dominant Western belief that grief must end in detachment. Their research, and the work that followed, revealed that mourners across cultures frequently maintain...
