How long should mourning following the death of a parent last?

[lethargic_man]

A while ago I posted asking how long my readers thought a religious service should last, and was intrigued to get answers in a completely different range from my non-Jewish readers compared to my Jewish ones.

So now I'd like to run a different question past, in particular, my non-Jewish readers:

How long do you think one should deny oneself the pleasurable things in life—in particular, listening to music and attending parties—following the death of a parent? (It would be helpful, though not essential, if respondents could indicate whether they have been bereaved themselves.)

Again, I will post my own views at a subsequent date.

Comments

[lnr.livejournal.com]

I don't think there is any fixed time where that sort of thing would be inappropriate - and if it helps you cope while mourning then you should be permitted to carry on as much as normal as you wish! The amount of time you feel unhappy to attend parties or celebrate will vary enormously for individuals. Listening to music isn't something I would find incompatible with mourning. In fact to some extent it can be a celebration of your loved one and a way of cherishing their memory to do your best to continue to enjoy the things you would have done together once they're gone.

I consider myself an atheist of Christian background, mostly CofE). I have not lost a parent or partner myself.