X

End-of-Life Essentials Blog

Our blog shares information, tips and ideas for health professionals on the delivery of quality end-of-life care in hospitals.

Supporting Families Through Loss

585 0
End-of-Life Essentials

A blog written by Kari Langdon, General Manager of the Red Tree Foundation: A SIDS & Kids SA Initiative

decorative

 

Grief is a universal experience, yet its expression varies profoundly across cultures, communities, and individuals. At Red Tree Foundation, we have supported South Australian families through the unimaginable loss of a child since 1977, offering free, professional grief counselling and bereavement support.

For health professionals caring for patients at the end of life, grief presents a unique set of challenges. It isn’t simply an aftermath; it often begins well before a death occurs. Anticipatory grief—the emotional response to an impending loss—can be just as complex and requires as much attention as the grief that follows. Families facing such losses need support that acknowledges this layered experience. Grief isn’t something that can be “fixed” or rushed; it’s a deeply personal process that unfolds over time. Providing care needs to not only be compassionate but also sensitive to their cultural and spiritual needs. Using gentle enquiry will aid in providing the families with support that meets their cultural, spiritual and personal needs.

Observing cultural grieving practices is a critical component of providing holistic bereavement care. Grief rituals, traditions, and expressions vary widely across cultures. What is healing for one family may not resonate with another. At Red Tree Foundation, we have learned the importance of listening without assumptions, understanding cultural expectations, and creating a safe space for families to honour their loss in a way that feels authentic to them. For health professionals, this might mean facilitating opportunities for cultural rituals to take place, involving community or spiritual leaders, or simply acknowledging the significance of these practices in helping families process their grief.

Recently, I completed the End-of-Life Essentials Bereavement Care module, which reinforced the importance of providing tailored, culturally aware support for grieving families. Recognising grief as a deeply personal and often lifelong journey, this training aligned with our belief that health professionals play a crucial role in shaping a family’s experience of loss.

By embracing cultural diversity and offering compassionate care, health professionals can ensure that bereaved families feel seen, understood, and supported, both during and after their end-of-life journey. Honouring their beliefs around grief and help them navigate one of life’s most profound challenges.

 

Profile picture Kari Langdon

Kari Langdon

General Manager, Red Tree Foundation: A SIDS & Kids SA Initiative

Print
Rate this article:
No rating