The author examines the concept of recovery following bereavement in terms of being a time “to redefine & reintegrate oneself into life” following a loss. He examines the meanings of the terms ‘recover’ & ‘bereavement’ & considers the centrality of concepts from life span human development, life crisis literature, & existential phenomenology for defining the full possibilities of the concept of recovery following bereavement. Seminal theories are also examined. (45 refs)