Jill’s mother arrives at Rose’s house soon after the paramedics have discontinued resuscitation attempts. A sudden death, such as Rose”s, can have a profound impact on family and friends. Jill and her mother were very close to Rose and are distressed by her unexpected death. A police family liaison officer attends to provide the family with support and advice.
Practical advice
Rose’s family have not had to deal with a family death before. The following resources contain useful information to help them organise the practical issues involved in dealing with a death.
- CRUSE Bereavement Care Scotland (also offer support and advice on a range of issues around bereavement)
- Scottish Government: What to do after a death in Scotland – practical advice at times of bereavement
- Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service: Information for bereaved relatives; the role of the PF in the investigation of deaths
- Directory of all UK Funeral Directors & Undertakers
Grief and Bereavement
Grief is often defined as a deep sadness, most commonly associated with the death or loss of someone important to you. Grief is very individual and as a result Jill and her mother may experience their grief in different ways. There are people who find themselves tearful, feeling numb or crying openly. They may find their ability to sleep and concentrate affected. Individuals sometimes feel at a loss and not fully in control of their daily lives. Others may grieve in a quiet and controlled manner in which their emotions are kept private and outwardly they appear to be coping normally. The individual nature of grief is important to remember when you are with others who have also been affected. For all of us personal expressions of grief are influenced by our culture, beliefs, age, gender and the relationship we had with the person who died.
A person may not even know they are grieving; the feelings and effects may be subtle and unusual.
- Mood swings – feeling low or having bursts of anger at unexpected times
- Problems sleeping – waking early or sleeping for long periods
- Vivid unpleasant dreams or dreams about the person they have lost that seem so real they feel huge disappointment when waking
- Being generally irritable and annoyed at little things
- Loss of appetite or comfort eating
- Drinking more alcohol than usual
- Feeling that there is no point in some things; other things no longer seem important
- Crying for no specific reason or crying triggered by a memory or thought
- Avoiding situations where they have to socialise, especially as others can seem awkward or nervous around them
- An inability to function; feeling emotionally and physically shocked and stunned
The term Bereavement is associated with the process of grief following death. The individual may still have on going feelings of sadness, loss, despair and at times possibly anger, disappointment and anxiety. The important thing to remember is that both grief and the process of bereavement are absolutely normal. Most individuals, with support, can develop an understanding of what has happened and acknowledge the impact the death may have on them as an individual, as part of a family or friendship group. Support for an individual is often provided by their friends, families and colleagues, however, some individuals may benefit from a professional source of support; their GP, clergy, and /or counselling services.
Jill and her mother might find the following resources useful in helping them cope with their grief and bereavement:
- NHS: Dealing with Grief and Loss
- NHS Inform: Bereavement self-help guide
- CRUSE Bereavement Care Scotland
Pulse point
Dealing with relatives and families when a loved one dies from an OHCA can be difficult and, at times, can require advanced communication skills. The following resource was developed to support professionals dealing with these situations:
Page last reviewed: 09 Oct 2020
