12 patients who feigned bereavement are described. Most appeared depessed on admission & in over half bereavement was erroneously believed by staff to be an important cause of their depression. This type of behaviour may be regarded as abnormal illness behaviour, & reasons are given for considering most of the cases as variants of Munchausen Syndrome. Motivation for these deceptions is discussed, & reference is made to symptoms which may indicate that bereavement is feigned. (8 refs.)