A death in the family

Abstract

The ability to work through the grieving process by the open expression of grief makes for a healthy bereavement. For the spouse it reduces morbidity and mortality in this period; for the children it diminishes the risk of emotional disorder that may occur later in life when grieving over the death of a parent has not been satisfactorily completed. We describe a death which exemplifies an acceptance of dying and an open expression of grief which we believe was facilitated by the hospice philosophy and team approach to care.