We investigated the relationship of experienced purpose in life to strategies used to cope with a loss resulting from death and the amount of time since the loss.  Forty undergraduates (aged 18-38 yrs) completed an information sheet, the Purpose in Life Test, and the revised Ways of Coping Checklist.  Participants who experienced low purpose in life reported using more emotion-focused coping strategies than did participants with high purpose.  The results are linked to the literature on emotion-focused coping and depression, and are discussed in terms of assessment and preventive treatment of bereaved clients.