Provides information on bereavement, where to go for support, and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief.
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Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It is characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through as we gradually adjust to the loss.
Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating - whether that be a partner, family member, friend or pet. It is natural to go through a range of physical and emotional processes as we gradually come to terms with the loss. See our page on experiences of grief for information about the types of feelings that are common during the grieving process.
Bereavement affects everyone in different ways, and it's possible to experience any range of emotions. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Feelings of grief can also happen because of other types of loss or changes in circumstances, for example:
"The first person taken away from us was my partner's brother."
In addition to the feelings of grief that you will experience following a loss, there are also other types of grief that you may experience at different types during bereavement.
Anticipatory grief is a sense of loss that we feel when we are expecting a death. It features many of the same symptoms as those experienced after a death has occurred, including depression, extreme sadness or concern for the dying person. It does not necessarily replace, reduce or make grief after the loss any easier or shorter, but for some people it can provide the opportunity to prepare for the loss and for what the future might look like.
After any loss you may also feel what is known as 'secondary loss'. After the initial shock of losing a loved one you may struggle when thinking of future experiences that those people will not be there to share or see, such as watching your children grow up, meeting partners or attending key life events like weddings.
Cruse Bereavement Care's website has information on coping with anniversaries and reminders of your loved one when you are bereaved.
"Bereavement is tough. All the 'happy times' that have followed Ruth's death are tinged with a deep sadness for me."
This information was published in July 2019. We will revise it in 2022.
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