Types of Loss

Grief has often been only associated with the death of a loved one.

Here are some other types of loss

Downloadable document listing the types of losses. This covers many types including non-death losses like divorce or loss of health.

What is loss?

  • A change or end in a relationship

  • A change or end in a familiar pattern of behavior

Types of Losses

  • Divorce

  • Loss of a romantic relationship

  • Infertility & pregnancy loss

  • Employment change

  • Retirement

  • Loss of home

  • Loss of safety

  • Pet loss

  • End or change of friendship

  • Loss of health

  • Loss of trust

  • Loss of autonomy

  • Loss of faith

  • Sobriety/substance abuse

Relationship Loss

  • Loss of a Spouse/Partner

  • Loss of a child

  • Loss of a parent

  • Loss of a sibling

  • Loss of a grandparent

  • Loss of a caregiver

  • Loss of a friend

  • Loss of a pet

  • Loss of a mentor

Another way of looking at losses:

Health Loss

  • Chronic Pain/Chronic Illness

  • Aging

  • Mental Illness

  • Infertility

  • Special needs

  • Autoimmune

  • Dementia

Identity Loss

  • Professional Identity

  • Relational identity

  • Financial identity

  • Physical identity

  • Gender identity

Pandemic Loss

  • Safety

  • Loss of loved ones

  • Loss of being with peers

  • Health

  • Control

  • Celebrations

  • Self-care

  • Mourning rituals

  • Financial changes

  • Loss/change of job

  • Sociability

  • Trust

  • Predictability

  • Consistency

  • Routines

Home/Personal Space Loss

  • Disaster

  • Foster Home

  • Skilled Nursing Home

  • Moving

Safety Loss

  • Trust

  • Freedom

  • Justice

  • Independence

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