Grief after bereavement or loss

Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.

Support is also available if you find 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 from dying

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

It's not always easy to recognize when bereavement, grief, or loss is why you act or feel differently.

Stages of bereavement or grief

Things you can try to help with bereavement, grief, and loss

Do

Don’t

  • do not try to do everything at once – set small targets that you can quickly achieve

  • do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy on helping yourself feel better

  • try not to tell yourself that you're alone – most people feel grief after a loss and support is available

  • try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, or drugs to relieve grief – these can all contribute to poor mental health

Information:

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.