Mourning is basically the way humans’ process loss, especially after someone close dies. It’s a psychological and emotional process. It is as if your mind and emotions are scrambling to adjust when there’s a huge gap in your life. The process covers various emotions like intense sadness and crying to moments of numbness and sometimes, laughing at memories. In psychological terms, mourning is essential for adapting to a new reality.
Freud described it as gradual redirection of emotional energy from the person you lost, making space for new relationships or pursuits. If you don’t go through this process, you risk getting stuck in depression or emotional stagnation. For example, going to a memorial service actually helps you start this process: it provides a structured environment for expressing feelings, sharing memories, and beginning the long adjustment to life after loss.