SuaviloquyToday’s word

bereavement

Bereavement, n.

The state of being bereaved; deprivation; esp., the loss of a relative by death.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for bereavement; he lists it under misfortune.

Where he writes about it:

For the loss of friends by death we commonly use affliction or bereavement. — from misfortune