Background: The World Health Organization states palliative care does not end with the death of the patient. Provision of bereavement information and support is an expected function of specialist palliative care services. Several authors have described bereavement services as providing universal interventions regardless of the need. Literature does not, however, provide a clear description of the purpose of service-led contact or how palliative bereavement services assess the need for professional support.

Aim: Our research aimed to identify literature from palliative bereavement services to examine how they described the purpose regarding service-initiated contact and assessment of need for grief counselling. 

 

Methods: A scoping review was undertaken (2020) with the support of two independent co-reviewers and a specialist research librarian. Inclusion and out-of-scope criteria were determined. Seven databases were examined using search terms developed by CareSearch with additional refinement. A data extraction template was developed following Johanna Briggs Institute guidance. Extracted information was thematically analysed using an inductive approach. 

Results: Eight articles met our criteria. Analysis demonstrated that the provision of bereavement information and pathways to support provided a ‘safety net’. Most services undertook a range of tasks from risk assessments through to direct interventions. The purpose of the short-term grief counselling, when used, was to facilitate adjustment. Staff recognised and referred to alternative services when more serious mental health interventions were indicated. Caregiver self-determination was encouraged along with risk assessment.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that bereavement service models have an overall common purpose when considered as an accessible and recognisable safety net. Such service models can guide newly bereaved individuals to understand their responses and support decision making about the need for formal interventions. Adopting a shared description for service-initiated contact could improve public understanding of palliative bereavement services.