What are the needs of bereaved people?
In the absence of a national and policy-driven approach to bereavement care, Irish Hospice Foundation, in collaboration with bereavement care providers, developed the Adult Bereavement Care Pyramid. Using a public health approach, the pyramid identifies four levels indicating people’s needs and the type of support they require when bereaved:
Level 1: Most people’s bereavement needs are met by their natural networks. This includes acknowledgment of the loss, compassionate responses and access to information from a person’s immediate networks i.e. families, friends, workplace colleagues, sports and social clubs. Level 2: Some people will need additional support outside of their social network. This may include peer support groups within their community that may have a focus on a particular type of bereavement experiences e.g. suicide or parental loss. Level 3: Some people will need to access appropriate counselling and psychotherapy. This is to enable them to cope with their loss and provide a safe and confidential space to support their overall wellbeing. Level 4: Few people will need specialised therapeutic intervention. This can help them cope with what is described as a prolonged or complex reaction to their loss.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
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© IHF, 2020
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Dying, Death and Bereavement in Ireland 2026
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