A Nationwide Survey in Japan on Bereavement Support Methods and Related Factors Provided by Care Managers: A Cross-Sectional Study

In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we aimed to examine bereavement support practices among care managers in Japan and identify factors associated with their implementation. This study included 507 care managers with bereavement support experience. Exploratory factor analysis identified four dimensions of bereavement support: Emotional Expression Support, Reflective and Strengths-Oriented Support, Information Provision and Referral, and Assessment of the Bereaved. Emotional and relational support was most frequently implemented, whereas informational and practical support was less common. Higher levels of care management implementation, valuing user-centered support, and routine family support yielded more active engagement in bereavement support. Male care managers were less likely to provide emotional expression support, while longer professional experience and bereavement training were associated with more active assessment practices. Overall, bereavement support may be a natural extension of care management. Strengthening training and organizational frameworks may enhance care managers' capacity to support bereaved families.