Bereavement

Bereavement was released in 1998 as part of the Urza's Saga expansion for Magic: The Gathering. As a black enchantment card, it functions as a reactive punishment mechanic, forcing players to discard a card whenever a creature is put into a graveyard from the battlefield. The card was designed during an era of the game known for powerful, complex enchantments that sought to alter the fundamental flow of creature combat.

The atmospheric illustration for the card was created by artist Christopher Rush, a foundational figure in early Magic history. His work on Bereavement leans into the dark, gothic aesthetic characteristic of black-aligned cards in the late 1990s, utilizing moody, evocative imagery to capture the sorrowful theme suggested by the card's name. While it remains a niche choice in casual formats, the card is remembered for its distinct flavor and its role in the Urza's block, which remains one of the most mechanically dense and debated sets in the game's long-running history.