Worden suggests that funeral rituals can

• A. help make real the fact of the loss
• B. offer an opportunity to express thoughts and feelings
• C. help affirm the life of the deceased
• D. all of the above

Answer: (D)

Funeral rituals in Worden’s framework serve several important mourning functions. They help mourners face the reality of the loss by explicitly acknowledging that someone has died, they provide a structured space to express thoughts and feelings about the death, and they honor and affirm the life of the deceased, reinforcing a meaningful memory. Because Worden emphasizes that mourning involves accepting reality, working through pain, adjusting to life without the person, and maintaining a continuing bond with the deceased, rituals naturally address all these aspects. So funeral rituals can make the loss real, offer a way to express emotions, and affirm the deceased’s life. That’s why “all of the above” is the best answer.