Bereavement Information 31 South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Understanding grief and loss Grief is a natural and deeply human response to the loss of a loved one. It reflects the important role that person held, and continues to hold, in your life and heart. If you have not experienced grief before, you may feel unprepared for the wide range of emotions that can arise. Common emotional reactions include shock, disbelief, sadness, guilt, anger, fear, and loneliness. Physical symptoms may present, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues, changes in appetite or weight, and somatic complaints such as muscle tension or headaches. Grief is not a passive or linear process; it is active and deeply personal. There is no “right” way to grieve, and the journey will be different for everyone, shaped by your unique relationship with the person who has died. It can be helpful to think of grief not as something that simply happens to you, but as something you experience and navigate, allowing you to make choices about how to move through it in your own time and way. In the days and weeks following a death, you may receive increased support from others, which can gradually lessen over time. As this happens, it is important to consider ways of caring for yourself in the months ahead. Support remains available, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Allow yourself to express emotions • Identify someone you feel able to talk openly with and who is a good listener. • Allow yourself to express emotions, it is okay to cry. • Journal or write down feelings. • Creative expression, writing a letter or poem, painting or drawing. • For stronger emotions like anger or resentment, try directing energy into physical activity like walking or running.
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