Bereavement is the experience of losing someone or something important to us. It's characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through when we experience a loss. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help. Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of bereavement, grief and loss

Bereavement, grief and loss can cause many different symptoms and they affect people in different ways. There's no right or wrong way to feel.

As well as bereavement, there are other types of loss such as the end of a relationship or losing a job or home.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Shock and numbness – this is usually the first reaction to loss, and people often talk about "being in a daze"
  • Overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying
  • Tiredness or exhaustion
  • Anger – towards the person you've lost or the reason for your loss
  • Guilt – for example, guilt about feeling angry, about something you said or did not say, or not being able to stop your loved one dying

These feelings may not be there all the time and powerful feelings may appear unexpectedly.

It's not always easy to recognise when bereavement, grief or loss are the reason you're acting or feeling differently.

Further information and support

You can find further information and support about:

The GOV.UK website also has information about what to do after someone dies, such as registering the death and planning a funeral.

If you feel you need to talk to a therapist and as a Mersey Care employee, you can refer yourself to get Access to Staff Psychological and Mental Health Support. You could also Find an NHS talking therapies service.