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Grief & Bereavement

What is anticipatory grief?

Caregivers and care receivers alike may exhibit grief reactions to a death, even if that death has not yet occurred. For example, caregivers may foresee the end of caring for their loved one or of the overall relationship with that person. These are normal reactions to loss and they may help you prepare for the emotional intensity of grief after death has occurred. This is called anticipatory grief.

Anticipatory grief takes many forms, most often fears about actual or possible losses. These may include fears of:

• Living life without a loved one
• Breakdown of family structure
• A new beginning – taking a road not traveled
• Loss of social life
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of eating, sleeping and other habits
• Loss of independence
• Loss of control

There are many symptoms of anticipatory grief, including:

• Guilt
• Tearfulness
• Constant changes in emotions
• Anger
• Depression
• Emotional numbness
• Anxiety/fear
• Changes in sleeping or eating habits
• Poor concentration
• Forgetfulness or poor memory
• Loneliness
• Denial
• Acceptance
• Fatigue

The information on this website should be used only in a general sense to help you understand the grief process people typically undergo before and after death.  It should not be used as a substitute for professional guidance or counseling.

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More in this section:

• How does grief impact our lives?
• What is bereavement and what are its common stages?
• What is anticipatory grief?
• How can I help the healing process?
• Where can I receive grief and bereavement support?

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