Disbelief that one is really dying is characteristic of the denial stage of death and dying, This first stage stage is followed by (2) anger, (3) bargaining, (4) depression and (5) acceptance. Dr. Elisabeth KĂĽbler-Ross introduced the stages of dying for those in grief in 1969 in her book On Grief and Grieving with David Kessler. Denial begins the healing process and is a painful first step in accepting the reality of the loss.