The author formulates a communicative concept of the Christian tradition to individuals, particularly in the situation of mourning. The empirical exploration shows that texts on the "absence of God" are of great significance to individuals in grief.

Piet P. Zuidgeest, Ph.D. in Theology, University of Nijmegen, is pastor and senior supervisor of the Clinical Pastoral Education in the Netherlands. He has published on pastoral supervision and religious symbols in pastoral care.