Bereavement: what I have learnt about supporting families

Nurse Kate Law on how digital services have advanced support for bereaved families, but flexibility is key to providing inclusive care and support in the future

When a family member dies the weight of grief can make it hard to function.

Although deeply personal, bereavement is everyone’s business . Nurses can empower family members to express their grief, nurture their individual needs and strengthen their own coping styles.

As a cancer nurse specialist for young adults I help families to facilitate anticipatory grief and to cope when bereavement starts during the palliative phase of treatment.