The Sims 4: Life and Death introduced a whole new aspect of gameplay with The Sims 4 Grief System. Now, Sims can emotionally process certain life events with four Grief Types specific to each Sim’s personality.
Life comes with unexpected ups and really unexpected downs. While these have always emotionally impacted our Sims, with The Sims 4 Grief System and the types of Grief, Sims ages Teen and older can finally address work through these feelings.
After an impactful event, like losing a job, getting a divorce, or the death of a loved one, Sims will enter a period of Mourning. You will know your Sim is going through this time of need when you see the Mourning Moodlet, causing them to be very Sad for an extended period of time.
Based on a combination of your Sim’s Personality Traits and how they behaved during while Mourning, they may initiate one of four grieving periods: Anger, Blues, Denial, or Holding it Together. To quickly jumpstart Grief, you can also use cheats from our The Sims 4: Life and Death Cheats Guide.
Grief Types
Type of GriefImpact Description
AngerSims with this Grief Type often have intense frustration and frequent Angry Emotions. Leading to outbursts and mean interactions. Sims can Cope Positively by Attending Grief Counseling, working out those frustrations in a gym (or at home) by Exercising or channeling emotions through Playing Instruments. These activities can be a great outlet for all of that pent-up anger.
BluesSims with this Grief Type typically experience Sad Emotions and are prone to gloomy interactions. Sims can Cope Positively by Attending Grief Counseling, Reading, Painting, improving their Logic Skill, practicing Wellness, or Playing Instruments. These activities can help lift their spirits and provide a healthy outlet for their emotions.
DenialSims with this Grief Type gain Bored and Fine moods as they turn away from processing their emotions while grieving. Sims can Cope Positively by Attending Grief Counseling, Gardening, Painting, Writing, Cooking, or Playing Instruments. If this Sim stays in Denial, their Grief can evolve into Anger or Blues Grief Types, prolonging their Grief.
Holding it TogetherSims with this Grief Type manage their Grief with a positive outlook on life. They try to project Confident Emotions during the day to day, however sometimes Sad Emotions are able to slip their way in. Sims can cope with their Grief by Attending Grief Counseling and any other positive activities that enrich life. While Holding It Together is admirable, this Sim may find that their Grief transitions into Anger or Blues Grief Types, prolonging their Grief.
Overcoming Grief
Each type of Grief in The Sims 4 has specific actions your Sims can take to overcome it and conquer their emotions. All types of Grief can be eased by using the Attend Grief Counseling self or phone interaction (while on your home lot), but sometimes Sims need to find other ways to work through their sadness.
Overcoming the Anger Grief Type
If your Sim is struggling with the Anger Grief Type, they can exercise and practice music to work through these emotions. Going for a Jog, using exercise equipment, Swimming, and more types of physical activity will get your Angry Sim out of their Greif-focused mindset. These Sims can also express their anger through music by Practicing any Instrument, playing a song, and even Singing.
Overcoming the Blues Grief Type
Sims who are experiencing the Blues Grief Type will benefit from introspective and calm activities. These Sims can take time to themselves to Paint, Read, and Play an Instrument to beat the Blues. They can also work to improve their Logic Skill and focus on Wellness activities, such as Meditation, to overcome their Grief.
Overcoming the Denial Greif Type
Sims in Denial about their Grief will need to spend time doing activities that keep their minds active to help them process their experience. These Sims are encouraged to Garden, Paint, Write, Cook, and Play Instruments to work through their Denial.
Overcoming the Holding it Together Grief Type
Sims who are Holding it Together can be fragile and experience an array of intense emotions. These Sims will need to focus on positive interactions and activities in order to overcome their Greif. This includes focusing on things your Sim likes, as set up in Create a Sim (CAS), completing their Wants, avoiding Fears, completing Aspiration Goals, and more. Other activities such as Hosting or Attending a Funeral and Attending the Thinned Festival will also help your Sim positively cope with their emotions.
While these coping methods may lead to some Tense or Sad Moodlets along the way, your Sim will start to feel Energized and Happy as they work through their Grief. They may also unlock the Reach Out for Help social interaction. You’ll notice Moodlets earned from positive Grief coping such as, One Step at a Time and Controlled Emotions, which are indicators that your Sim is progressing well through The Sims 4 Grief System.
Acceptance
Sims that tend to their emotional needs during their times of Grief by Attending Grief Counseling and Coping Positively will reach Acceptance. The Grief Type will be removed from their list of Personality Traits at this stage. While Acceptance is the fifth and final stage of Grief, your Sim will still experience the emotional impact of Lingering Grief.
Lingering Grief can show up at anytime in a Sim’s life after reaching Acceptance in the form of Moodlets. These emotionally mature Sims may experience sudden bursts of Sadness or Happiness from their time with Grief.
Grief Change
If your Sim is neglecting their emotions and the grieving process, The Sims 4 Grief System may transform their Grief. This is most common with the Denial and Holding it Together Grief Types that will transform into Anger or Blues, but is possible for all types of Grief.
Moodlets like the Slipping Sad Moodlet are indicators that your Sim’s Grief might be about to evolve.
If your Sim’s Grief Type evolves, they will need to re-start their grieving process with more focus on Coping Positively.
Personality Change
Sims who deny the grieving process may be so consumed in their Grief that it changes their personality for the worse. Simmers will be prompted to accept or deny the negative Personality Trait change, so you can choose to deny it if you don’t want your Sim to be permanently changed.
Have your Sims worked through The Sims 4 Grief System? Do you like this Sims 4: Life and Death feature? Let us know in the comments below!