Psychologists say that depression after a loss of a dear person lasts around 2 years. My lasted 3 years. So, no matter how you cope with this event, you will feel bad for 2 years, unfortunately.
The second year is worse because there are some situations you haven't faced yet (for whatever reason) and you bump into that situations with your guard down.
After the third year it is less probable, and frequent and you might handle that situations differently.
But there are times you just miss the loved ones that passed away, no matter how much time has passed.
I guess that's the price we pay for being human.