Family grief therapy: A vital model in oncology, palliative care and bereavement

Abstract

Life events are formed by inescapable experiences that bring some degree of challenge, change or loss and need for adaptation to those affected. The most natural support base in this setting can be the family. Distress and grief associated with life events, such as a life-threatening illness and bereavement, can be helpfully shared with the family, who assist with processing and making sense of the event, provide mutual support and caregiving and, eventually, help with coming to terms with the losses and moving forward with life (Kissane and Bloch, 1994).