Loss Examples

We May Grieve over Any Change

All grief is experienced at 100% so it is not helpful to compare loss. Below are examples of types of loss.

Primary Losses

  • Abandonment
  • Abortion
  • Abuse
  • Addiction
  • Adoption
  • Cancelled Plans
  • Career
  • Childhood trauma
  • Death of a loved one
  • Death of a loved pet
  • Divorce
  • Empty nest
  • Estrangement from family
  • Faith
  • Fatal diagnosis
  • Financial changes
  • Graduation
  • Health
  • Infertility
  • Infidelity
  • Legal issues
  • Marriage
  • Menopause
  • Moving
  • Relationships
  • Retirement
  • Suffering of a loved one
  • School starting, ending or changing
  • Weather destruction

Secondary Losses

Primary losses are obvious losses, such as a person, object or job. Primary losses are easy to identify. Secondary losses sometimes referred to as “hidden losses”, are harder to recognize and are most often associated with the impact or meaning of the loss. Examples include:

  • Dreams
  • Faith
  • Financial Security
  • Friends
  • Hope
  • Intimacy
  • Milestones
  • Role Identity
  • Support System