When a person loses someone important to them, they go through a normal process called grieving. Grieving is a natural and expected process which, over time, can allow the person to accept and understand their loss. Grieving involves feeling many different emotions over time, all of which help the person come to terms with the loss of a loved one.

Bereavement and mourning are both part of the grieving process. Bereavement is what a person goes through when someone close to them dies. It is the state of having suffered a loss. Mourning is the outward expression of loss and grief. Mourning includes rituals and other actions that are specific to each person's culture, personality, and religion.