Religion/Spirituality and Change in Meaning after Bereavement: Qualitative Evidence for the Meaning Making Model

Making meaning appears to be an important pathway through which religion/spirituality influences adjustment following bereavement (Wortmann Park, 2008). Few studies, however, have provided a detailed account of the ways in which meaning changes as part of the meaning making process (Park Ai, 2006). We review the qualitative research regarding religion/spirituality and bereavement to examine meaning from the phenomenological perspective of the bereaved. We use the meaning making model (Park, 2005b) to organize findings regarding the interplay of religion/spirituality and meaning, including the nature of meaning discrepancy and processes of assimilation and accommodation. We conclude with suggestions for future research.