Bereavement Care Resouces

Palliative & End of Life Care (PEOLC), Info for Health Professionals

Bereavement care refers to ways that conveys genuine care and compassion when offering support at or near the time of death.

Compassionate Notification of Families/Next of Kin

• Care for the Family – Preparing to Talk to Family (Algorithm)

Bereavement Package

An information package given to families post death.

The package contains information on:

• What to do in the immediate hours and days after death
• Information about what to expect in grief responses and layers of grief

As families leave the care setting, healthcare providers can:

• Ask if they are able to get home safely e.g., “We want you to be safe, can I call someone to pick you up?”
• Gather patient belongings/valuables and give them to the family or next of kin as per policy.
• Provide families with the Bereavement Package

How to order

• Bereavement Package

What types of information may be added?

• Loss resources specific to type of death
• Local bereavement care resources
• Care facility business card - to allow families to contact the manager, or alternate contact, should they have questions following the death

White Rose Program

The White Rose Program is a way of showing respect by creating a quiet and calm environment to those who are dying and their families.

When a person is in the last hours to days of life a White Rose poster is placed at the entrance of their bed or room. This visual reminder increases staff awareness to help provide a calm and quiet environment respectful of unique needs of the dying person and those most important to them.

The healthcare provider explains the White Rose Program to the person and/or their family obtaining their consent prior to posting the sign on the door/curtain. If they prefer to not have the sign posted, their wishes are respected and documented.

How to order

• White Rose Package