What is bereavement?
In this article, we answer some of the frequently asked questions about bereavement and explain what support is available to help you understand and cope with your grief.
What does bereavement mean?
If you are bereaved, it means that someone close to you has died. The term “bereavement“ therefore describes this experience of loss, and is often used to refer to the period of mourning following a death.
Is bereavement the same as grief?
Grief is a reaction to losses of any kind, including the losses people experience when someone is dying or seriously ill for a long time. It describes the thoughts and feelings you experience as you try to come to terms with what has happened, and tends to refer to the process of finding ways to cope with the person’s death.
Who can be affected by bereavement or grief?
It is likely that everyone will experience bereavement at least once in their lifetime, but this will feel different for each person. This is because you can’t predict what your grief will feel like or look like; it is an entirely individual experience and how you process it can depend on a range of factors.
I think as a society we need to understand grief more. Everyone deals with it in their own way. I won’t leave my husband behind but I won’t let being a widow define me.
Read Dottie's story on Grief Guide
What support is available for people who are grieving?
Alongside our written information and advice about coping with a bereavement, we also have a range of services available to you if you’re struggling with your grief.
Online Bereavement Community
Our Online Community is a safe place for people who are dealing with the death of someone they care about.
Online Bereavement Counselling Service
Our Online Bereavement Counselling Service offers up to 6 free sessions with a professional counsellor. Sessions are online so you can use the service from the comfort of home.
Grief Guide
Find expert information, advice and resources on Grief Guide. Create a memory box or journal online to help you cope with your grief over time.
Personalised grief support via text
Subscribe to our Sue Ryder Grief Coach text support for personalised tips, resources and reminders throughout the year, direct to your phone.
Leaflets about bereavement
We know that sometimes you need information in print to help people who may not be online, or if you just want to read something at your own pace. We have a number of publications about end-of-life and bereavement.
If you don’t see the type of support you feel you need here, take a look at How can I cope with grief?
Sue Ryder has played a huge part in how I have tried to navigate and understand my grief. There are still going to be some tough days to come but it’s nice to be able to think of Laura with a smile on my face now.
Sarah's story on Grief Guide
Let us know how we can improve our information on bereavement.
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