Losses in disasters tend to occur simultaneously or consecutively, which may represent a risk factor to tackle the many bereavements experienced. Concerning the increasing and worrying number of emergencies around the world, the reflection-action regarding this phenomena, which happen to thousands of people every year, is urgent. This study aimed at investigating the experience of being a (direct or indirect) survivor in the mega disaster which occurred in the sierra region of Rio de Janeiro in January 2011 and the reactions to the countless individual and collective losses, especially because, when the catastrophe took place, many lost relatives who remained missing and never had their bodies found. The research also investigated the impact of both symbolic losses and losses of objects of emotional value which, together with the human and material losses, bring great suffering to the bereaved. Twenty (20) inhabitants of the cities of Petrópolis, Teresópolis and Nova Friburgo participated in the research, being interviewed about a year and a half after the tragedy in the region. The data were discussed based on the Content Analysis referential and the testimony concept, which deals with the importance of the narrative in the process of elaboration of traumas. As results, we can highlight a high level of disorganization and fear in the first moments after the disasters, associated with feelings of anguish, impotence, helplessness and uncertainty. Somatic complaints and hypervigilance were frequent, resulting in the survivor s high level of stress (even though they may not have been present in the affected regions). Human losses were considered the most painful and incomprehensible, mainly in the cases of the missing people, since meanwhile the bereaved were hopeful to see their beloved one again, they also experienced anxiety and outrage owing to the innumerous uncertainties which are part of such an ambiguous type of bereavement. Impotence was the most mentioned feeling on account of the relative s prolonged absence and the impossibility to materialize death prevented many bereaved people from giving continuity to the process of elaboration - a fact also associated with the way many families were treated by professionals who belonged to the medical and rescue teams who worked in the disaster area and the performance of collective rituals which were seen as disrespectful to the families wish. Buildings, jobs, and reference places (such as schools and churches, among others) were lost, which intensified the feelings of sadness and dismay, besides making the support network even more scarce, as the disaster happened to the whole community, who felt helpless, unprotected and hopeless. Still regarding social support after the disaster, the participants also made reference to a feeling of abandonment and neglect by the governors who demonstrated neither interest nor commitment to rebuilding the communities affected by the tragedy, besides the numberless reports of misuse of donations and funds destined to the population. However, it was possible to identify positive feelings in relation to the group as well, in addition to acts of heroism, sympathy, compassion and motivation to act (act in order to rebuild family and society life). We concluded that disasters are traumatic, intense and disruptive events, which bring human, social and financial damages to society and destabilize families and communities in an abrupt and overwhelming way, demanding the survivors to make a big effort so that they can overcome the multiple losses experienced; however, even in the midst of chaos and devastation, resilient people and groups hope and rebirth capacity appear among the debris.