1. Section III: Bereavement Care

2. Care Following Death Communication with the family
Prepare family for next steps
Technical tasks

3. Care and Respect of the Body
Reflects importance and value of the patient
Respect family rituals
Allow family to provide physical care
Comb hair
Wash face/body
Hold hand, kiss, hug
Berry & Griffie, 2015
Berry & Griffie, 2015

4. Bereavement Support
Follow up
Other staff
Bereavement services

5. Death of a Parent….Remember the Children
Be aware of the developmental stage of the child
Communicate openly and honestly
Children need opportunities to ask questions
Questions should be answered in terms that they can comprehend

6. Case Study: Gail (cont)
Gail died the next day with her husband and 3 sons at her bedside
Bereavement care

7. Relias Vignette #6: Loss/Grief/Bereavement

8. Conclusion
Family members will always remember the last days, hours, and minutes of their loved one’s life. Nurses have a unique opportunity to be invited to spend these precious moments with them and to make those moments memorable in a positive way.