An emotional reaction to loss is called what?

• A. Grief, mourning, bereavement
• B. Grief
• C. Mourning
• D. Bereavement

Answer: (B)

Grief is the emotional reaction to loss. It captures the internal feelings people experience—sadness, longing, anger, or disbelief—as they process what’s happened. Mourning refers to the outward expressions and rituals that accompany grief, like ceremonies or changes in behavior. Bereavement describes the broader experience or period after a loss, encompassing both the emotional and social adjustments. So when the question asks for the emotional reaction, grief is the best fit because it focuses on the inner emotional response rather than the outward expressions or the overall state.