Feedback on a bereavement referral program after coroner referral following a child’s unexpected death

In this qualitative study, we investigate the perceptions and impact of a Bereavement Referral Program (BRP) developed to address the needs of parents impacted by unexpected pediatric death. The BRP starts when a coroner connects parents to a grief navigator (GN) who helps parents find bereavement and social support resources. This work aims to understand the efficacy of the BRP from parents' perspectives using semi-structured qualitative interviews to assess the program's strengths and weaknesses and solicit suggestions for improvement. Results showed that parents valued interactions with the GNs, and felt the program offered an opportunity for support. Areas of improvement relate to when parents are connected to GNs, and additional resources GNs could share with parents. This work contributes to knowledge about how to support parents after unexpected pediatric death by showing the value of the BRP and informing improvements to the intervention that can be applied to other communities.