Glossary
Bereavement
The period of grief and mourning after the death of someone close. Being bereaved means someone you love has died.
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after the death of someone close to you. The National Cancer Institute (opens in a new tab) explains the related words simply: grief is the emotional response to the loss, mourning is the way we show grief in public, and bereavement is the period of sadness after the death. A person who has lost someone is often called bereaved.
Bereavement in childhood is more common than many people think. About 1 in 11 children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18, according to the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (opens in a new tab) (2026 estimate). The death of a brother or sister affected 5% to 8% of children with siblings in two U.S. data sets (Fletcher et al., 2013 (opens in a new tab)).
Most people adjust to a loss over time, the NCI says; others have longer periods of bereavement and may benefit from support or treatment. Bereavement support groups, grief camps for children, and counseling can all help. See where to find grief support and helping a child grieve a sibling.
What you can do today: if someone you know is bereaved, send a short message that says their loved one's name.