Bereavement: providing effective and compassionate nursing care and support

Nurses in all settings are frequently in contact with bereaved people, which places them in a unique position to offer emotional and practical support. However, nurses may feel unprepared to provide meaningful support to, or lack the confidence to initiate conversations with, bereaved people. This article describes theoretical models of grief and practical strategies that can inform and support effective and compassionate bereavement care. Applying these models and strategies can assist nurses in providing meaningful support to bereaved people and recognise when they may need additional, formal interventions from specialist services. The article also underscores the importance of organisational support and self-care to sustain the well-being of nurses delivering bereavement care.