Bereavement is the period of time that starts from the moment a loved one dies (or upon other significant changes or losses in life, such as divorce, job loss, or family estrangement). It can be a difficult and painful process that people cope with in different ways. It’s important to realize that you don’t have to go it alone. But asking for support can be hard.

For some, grief can be all-consuming, affecting their daily lives on multiple levels. It can create feelings of isolation, fear, depression, anger, anxiety, longing, and a seemingly unending well of sadness. There can be a sense of “feeling lost” without the deceased in their life, that life will never be the same. And grief may unexpectedly come and go.

Trying to recover from the loss of a loved one can be a tough road to travel. And if that loved one is dying from a lengthy terminal illness, feelings of grief can arise even before their actual death. This is an emotional response known as anticipatory grief, and it is quite common.