"I am tired of having to prove that my husband was dead." Dealing with practical matters in bereavement and the impact on the bereaved

Authors

Philippa M. Blackburn, University of WollongongFollow
Caroline Bulsara, University of Wollongong

RIS ID

122635

Publication Details

P. Blackburn & C. Bulsara, ""I am tired of having to prove that my husband was dead." Dealing with practical matters in bereavement and the impact on the bereaved", Death Studies 42 10 (2018) 627-635.

Abstract

This paper reports on experiences of dealing with practical matters after death. Semi structured interviews with bereaved individuals were thematically analyzed. Within the theme of coping, dealing with practical matters was a significant stressor and was found to be extremely challenging, time consuming, and to negatively impact on mental and emotional well-being. This study adds new insights on the challenges experienced by the bereaved when attending to practical matters and may help to inform the design of bereavement support, inform standard operating procedures of businesses, and government bereavement leave legislation.