Is it normal for someone who has lost their beloved to pretend that they still exist and not accept that they are gone?

Yes and no, but all I can say is try to keep all the Memories you had with that person and at the same time move on with your life because if you just remembered all the memories you had, it is going to affect your life so try to move on and always keep that person in your heart

It's a common occurrence, however it's not healthy. Eventually we all need to let go, and move on with our lives, it's what they would have wanted. This may be due to shock or immense grief, sometimes people need more support than others, or else they'll find it difficult to cope.

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Yes to a point. There is general anxieties about them coming back. The typical "miracle dream" but to not accept it and move on can be very unhealthy in the long run. Grief is different for all and you can't rush someone. Just support through all these things that happened. Ride the wave together and help the grieving person stay afloat when needed.

Yes, definitely. The five stages of grief don't necessarily occur in that order or at all but a common reaction is denial. It is natural. It is also really healthy to talk to a good grief counsellor because often we need help to process something so overwhelming.

First, I want to provide my deepest apology to you. Grief, while it is something inevitable, is never easy and never someone one can truly prepare for. In this, we never know how we are going to react to losing a loved one nor what that reaction will entail. In this, I can assure you that however you are reacting- that your denial, is a nature and valid form of grief. In grief, while it is never linear nor identical, there has been created a type of structure where different stages of grief may be observed. One of these is said to be denial. Grief can feel impossible at times, and it feels impossible because such a vibrant and huge part of your life is suddenly stolen away irretrievably. The only way to fix grief completely is to have never had your someone stolen away at all. The way your mind wants to heal is to erase the damage completely. In this it makes sense, and it can be seen as completely normal, for someone to deny a death at all. So, yes, it is completely normal as a form of grief to not accept the loss of the one you lost. It is a protection against grief entirely.