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Bereavement
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Social Family Issues

Bereavement

Bereavement is the natural period of grief and mourning following a loss, manifesting through various mental, physical, and emotional reactions.

Overview

Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. When you grieve, it is part of the normal process of reacting to a loss. You may experience grief as a mental, physical, social, or emotional reaction.

Reactions to Loss

  • Mental reactions: Can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness, and despair.
  • Physical reactions: Can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems, or illness.

Support and Duration

How long bereavement lasts can depend on how close you were to the person who died, if the person's death was expected, and other factors. Friends, family, and faith may be sources of support. Grief counseling or grief therapy is also helpful to some people.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most helpful support often involves active listening without judgment, offering practical assistance like preparing meals or running errands, and simply being present. Avoid platitudes like "they're in a better place" and instead acknowledge their pain. Allow them to express their feelings freely, and understand that their grief journey is unique and may not follow a predictable timeline.
To cope with physical symptoms, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, engage in gentle physical activity, and eat nutritious meals. For emotional symptoms, allow yourself to feel and express your emotions without judgment. Consider journaling, connecting with supportive friends or family, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and engaging in activities that bring you comfort or a sense of purpose. Limiting caffeine and alcohol can also help manage anxiety and sleep issues.
When talking to children about death, use clear, simple, and honest language appropriate for their age, avoiding euphemisms like "passed away" that can be confusing. Reassure them it's okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. Encourage them to ask questions and express their feelings. Maintaining routines, allowing them to participate in memorial rituals if they wish, and providing consistent emotional support are also very important.
While grief is a natural process, it can become concerning if it severely impairs your daily functioning for an extended period. Seek professional help if you experience persistent feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of self-harm, an inability to perform basic self-care, extreme withdrawal, or if your grief intensifies rather than gradually improving over time. A mental health professional can help you distinguish between normal grief and complicated grief.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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