Grief and bereavement therapy supports individuals through the processing of loss in all its forms. This might include but is not limited to: the loss of a home, loss of friendship, loss through life transitions, and loss through death.

Below are some important definitions to consider:

• Bereavement: to be “bereaved” is to be in a state of loss. Bereavement is not specific to lose through death but is most often related to experiencing loss through death.
• Grief: Grief is defined as the reaction to your loss and is experienced internally. Grief can manifest itself in a multitude of somatic, behavioural and/or spiritual ways.

Some examples include:

1. Somatic: headaches, stomach aches, muscle aches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and loss of appetite
2. Behavioural: risk-taking behaviour, any maladaptive behaviour (i.e. substance abuse, social disengagement, playing video games all day, etc.), difficulty with concentration, brain fog, and memory loss
3. Spiritual: some individuals notice a change in their connection to spirituality through grief. This may be an increased connection or decreased connection.

• Mourning: Mourning is a public expression of grief and is considered interpersonal, meaning it is expressed relationally rather than internally. Mourning and grieving are often used interchangeably.

It is important to note that experiences of grief and mourning can look different cross-culturally.

No one’s experience of grief or mourning is “correct.” Ceremonies around grief and mourning are deeply connected cultural meanings around life and death.