It depends....my baby brother lost his wife 3 years ago to cancer..she was 31...they have been together since high school, and she left a 8yr old at the time to raise. He is still grieving...for a time there I was really worried about him. He wasn't open to therapy, and his daughter was carrying him emotional - he couldn't bring himself to date either. He felt like it would be cheating on her.He has focused his self on raising his child, I have taught him how to do braids, and basic hair care for his daughter, and he is slowly coming around. But he has keep most of his emotions inside- to this day - I cannot imagine losing a spouse, or SO - on the outside he is coping, but inside he still hurts at his loss...