bereavement

Universal Words noun 1 [U] the state of having lost a relative or close friend because they have died: the pain of an emotional crisis such as divorce or bereavement * a sense of bereavement * learning to cope with bereavement * bereavement counselling 2 [C] the death of a relative or close friend: A family bereavement meant that he could not attend the conference. * She had suffered three bereavements in quick succession.