Suicide ideation was examined in a group of 60 recently bereaved widows & widowers compared to 60 individually matched married comparison subjects. Suicide ideation was higher among widowed people & was most excessive for widows. The effect disappeared when there was control for emotional loneliness. Social support did not buffer individuals against suicide ideation but reduced ideation among the married & bereaved alike. Heightended suicide ideation in bereavement is associated with extreme emotional loneliness & severe depressive symptoms. (11 refs.)