How do we create compassionate schools in light of death, dying and bereavement?

In Western culture, death can be considered a social taboo and a source of fear and avoidance, which impacts negatively on children, families and teachers. Given the lack of school community-based literature on this issue and the innovative literature existing in palliative care, the coalescing of both fields suggests a crucial way forward for school communities where compassion and partnership are emphasized. This research suggests that it is essential to understand how we can socially and culturally acknowledge death, dying and bereavement positively in our school communities. By giving bereaved people in school communities a voice through grounded theory interviewing, we aim to provide authentic key suggestions for schools in an attempt to move towards compassion and partnership. This presentation will outline the initial study data, which shows fascinating and varying responses from students, parents, teachers and principals alike. In the understanding of these complex responses it is hoped that compassion, connectedness and support can be enhanced for the benefit of all community members.