Which term describes the emotional response to loss?

The term that specifically describes the emotional response to loss is grief. Grief encompasses a range of feelings that one experiences after losing someone or something significant, such as sadness, anger, confusion, and even relief. It is a deeply personal experience that can vary greatly from person to person, influenced by the nature of the loss and individual coping mechanisms.

Mourning refers to the outward expression of grief, often involving rituals or ceremonies specific to a culture or religion, while bereavement refers to the state of having lost someone, typically pertaining to the period during which one is grieving. Loss, on the other hand, is a broader term that simply indicates that something or someone of value is gone. Grief specifically captures the emotional journey that follows this loss, making it the most precise term in this context.