What resources are available for supporting families during the bereav

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Resources available to support families during the bereavement process following a patient's death include:

Professional bereavement support offered by healthcare professionals with appropriate expertise, both before and after the death, to provide emotional and psychological assistance to parents or carers .
Written information about practical arrangements after death, such as care of the body, legal considerations, death registration, funeral arrangements, and post-mortem examinations, to help families understand and manage the process .
Opportunities for families to talk with healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care to discuss memories, ask questions, and address concerns, including home visits if appropriate .
Information and access to psychological bereavement support groups tailored to the needs of parents or carers .
Multidisciplinary team involvement, including social, practical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual support from specialists such as paediatric palliative care consultants, nurses, pharmacists, and family support experts, ensuring comprehensive care .
Early and ongoing contact with carers and families by health and social care practitioners to provide information, emotional support, and practical help, recognising the challenges carers face during end-of-life care and bereavement .
Provision of written information and advice on how to access bereavement support according to the family’s wishes and preferences, including after the death of adults with life-limiting conditions .

What resources are available for supporting families during the bereavement process after a patient's death?