Grief and Sexuality: Life after Losing a Spouse

Half of all married people will lose a spouse in death. Although no one can fully prepare for such a loss, Grief and Sexuality provides a glimpse through the stories of widowed people, all woven into Rachel Nafziger Hartzler?s own story. This significant study addresses questions of sexuality with compelling new data that will encourage open-minded widowed people as well as their friends and caregivers.

The multiple layers of loss caused by death of a spouse are addressed by a wide array of available literature. But Grief and Sexuality is deeper and bolder than most, exploring intricate connections between loss and spirituality and their links to sexuality.

Hartzler uses brand new research to look beyond superficial questions about romantic relationships following spousal death. Using biblical forms as a model, her work emphasizes the necessity of lament following such a significant loss. Hartzler offers personal experiences to describe the transformation available to those who have survived the death of a spouse and to sketch guidelines for managing sexual energy.