Let’s talk about bereavement care: Are we meeting people where they’re at?

An article written by Dr Nicci Bartley, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, The University of Sydney

Bereavement is something we’ll all face at some point—whether it’s the loss of a parent, partner, friend, or patient. And while grief is deeply personal, the support we receive (or don’t) can make a huge difference in how we navigate this experience.

Recent collaborative research between The Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District has taken a deep dive into bereavement care in healthcare settings. Their findings? We’ve got some work to do.

What’s actually being offered?

Across hospitals and health services, bereavement care often includes things like condolence cards, memorial services, and follow-up phone calls. These are meaningful gestures, but they’re not always consistent or accessible. [1] In fact, our team found that care is often informal, ad hoc, and heavily reliant on individual staff members going above and beyond. [2]

In some settings—like palliative care—bereavement support might start before death, helping families prepare emotionally. But in others, like emergency or neonatal units, support tends to kick in only after the death has occurred. This difference in timing can really shape how families experience care.

Are the resources up to scratch?

We also looked at the actual bereavement resources being handed out. We reviewed 30 print materials and found that most were written at a reading level far too high for the average person. Only a handful were available in languages other than English, and very few were relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In short, these resources aren’t doing their job. They are hard to understand, are not actionable, and don’t reflect the diversity of the people receiving them. [3]

So what’s the ideal?

We asked healthcare staff what an ideal bereavement model of care would look like. The answer was clear:

• Continuity of care—support from familiar staff before and after death
• Structured processes—so care isn’t left to chance
• Culturally responsive resources—developed with input from diverse communities
• Staff training and support—because caring for the bereaved can be emotionally taxing.

We have proposed a bereaved-centred model of care that’s flexible enough to work across different settings and populations. [2] It’s grounded in evidence and shaped by the voices of those delivering care on the ground.

Why this matters

Grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline. It’s messy, unpredictable, and deeply human. When bereavement care is inconsistent or inaccessible, people can fall through the cracks—especially those at risk of prolonged or complicated grief.

This research is a call to action. It’s about making sure bereavement care is not just compassionate, but also equitable, inclusive, and evidence based.

What’s next?

If you’re working in healthcare, ask yourself: What bereavement support does your service offer? Is it accessible to everyone? Are staff supported to deliver it?

And if you’re someone who’s experienced loss, what kind of support would have made a difference for you?

Let’s keep the conversation going—and keep pushing for care that truly meets people where they’re at.

References

1. Bartley N, Rodriguez Grieve L, Cooper C, Kirsten L, Wilson C, Sajish B, et al. A systematic review of international bereavement models of care and implementation barriers and facilitators. Omega (Westport). 2025.
2. Bartley N, Rodriguez Grieve L, Kirsten L, Wilson C, Sajish B, Shaw J. Developing a bereavement model of care for an Australian health context. Omega (Westport). 2025.
3. Rodriguez Grieve L, Bartley N, Kirsten L, Wilson C, Sajish B, Pegler E, et al. Health literacy and inclusivity review of bereavement resources available in an Australian healthcare setting. Health Lit Commun Open. 2024;2(1).

Author

Dr Nicci Bartley

Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group

The University of Sydney