What does bereavement refer to?

Bereavement specifically refers to the state of loss that occurs when someone close to an individual passes away. It encapsulates the emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical reactions that one experiences as a result of this loss. This term is often used to describe the period during which a person is mourning the deceased, and it emphasizes the profound sense of absence felt by the bereaved.

Understanding bereavement as a process helps healthcare professionals support individuals through their grieving journey, acknowledging that this experience can be deeply personal and vary significantly in duration and intensity. While other aspects of grief, such as temporary emotional responses or formal processes of handling grief, play a role in how one navigates bereavement, the definition fundamentally centers around the loss of a loved one.