Becoming widowed brings dramatic lifestyle changes, and the loss of a partner creates a grief with many layers.  The companionship and daily routines of marriage are lost, and the surviving spouse can feel adrift and unable to manage the tasks and duties the partner provided.  The very person one would have shared their darkest moments with is now unable to provide comfort or support.  For surviving spouses who were caregivers during chronic or terminal illness, the caregiver role is lost along with many other roles in the marriage. Widowhood is experienced differently at different developmental life stages.  In early adulthood, a one’s entire future with the spouse is lost.  Young widows and widowers are often challenged by single-parenthood, and supporting their children emotionally alone.  Widowhood in mid-life brings financial changes, meeting the needs of teen-aged or young adult children, and the loss of half a lifetime with the spouse.  Older widows and widowers may face serious financial setbacks, dependency issues, and are at higher risk for physical illness and social isolation. Because one’s personal sense of self is most directly associated with that of the life partner, the death of a spouse may bring significant challenges to one’s identity.