Long illness leading to grief before death is described as which term?

• A. Sudden loss
• B. Anticipated loss
• C. Complicated loss
• D. Infant loss

Answer: (B)

Anticipated loss is the term for grieving that happens before death when a long illness makes the outcome likely. Because death is expected, family and friends often begin mourning in advance, say their goodbyes, and adjust plans and roles as the illness progresses. This differs from sudden loss, where death comes with little warning and there isn’t time for pre-death grieving. Infant loss is about losing a baby, which isn’t the situation here. Complicated loss refers to grief that is unusually intense or long-lasting and doesn’t describe the typical pre-death grieving process.