Care provided after death:
Many regional and local community/voluntary sector organisations support adults, children and families bereaved through specific circumstances such as chronic health conditions, suicide, road traffic collision, homicide or infant and child death. Other agencies support people bereaved in any circumstance. Care and support offered by the community/voluntary sector can be short, medium or long-term and includes:
- Bereavement support, psychotherapy, counselling, group work, befriending, advocacy, support groups, telephone helplines, internet forums, play therapy, complimentary therapy, residential breaks, financial advice, spiritual, social and family support and crisis intervention
- Information resources including web-sites, leaflets and booklets, directories of services and sudden death and traumatic bereavement resource packs.
- Practical support for bereaved people negotiating the legal system, for example, court and representation at criminal injuries compensation boards.
Works alongside:
- Patients, relatives, carers and general public
- Primary and secondary health and social care staff
- Coroner’s office
- Town and City councils
- PSNI
- Faith representatives
- Community activists and representatives
The standard of bereavement care is enhanced when:
- Good communication and co-ordination takes place within and between individuals, organisations and sectors, to ensure that resources are targeted efficiently and effectively and that there is integration of care to meet the needs of people who are dying and their families, friends and carers.
Standards and Guidelines
- Individual agency policy and guidelines governing professional standards, health and safety, child and vulnerable adult protection, equality and diversity, charity law (will get some links to these)
