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How do funeral practices impact bereaved relatives' mental health, grief and Bereavement? A mixed methods review with implications for COVID-19

2021; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 35; Linguagem: Inglês

1477-030X

Emily Harrop, Mana Mann, Lenira Semedo, David Vai Kiong Chao, Lucy Selman, Anthony Byrne,

Migration, Health and Trauma

Background: Funerals are a fundamental component of cultural and religious mourning systems that facilitate the offering of support to the bereaved. Those who are bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic are subject to restrictions on funeral sizes and practices. It is possible that being unable to participate in funerals, rituals, and ceremonies will have a detrimental effect on the bereaved, affecting their mental health and ability to cope with or process their grief. Aim: To synthesize evidence on the impact of funeral practices on bereaved friends and relatives' mental health and experience of bereavement, and consider implications for the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a rapid systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines, synthesising the quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes. Searches of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, KSR Evidence, and COVID-related resources were conducted on 24/4/2020. Results: 805 records were screened;17 studies of variable quality were included. Current evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives' mental health and bereavement outcomes is inconclusive. Five observational studies found benefits from funeral participation while six did not. However, qualitative research provides additional insight: the benefit of after-death rituals including funerals depends on the ability of the bereaved to shape those rituals and say goodbye in a way which is meaningful for them, and on whether the funeral demonstrates social support for the bereaved. Discussion: Our findings suggest that restrictions to funeral practices do not necessarily entail poor outcomes or experiences for bereaved people. As well as access to bereavement support and sign-posting to specialist services, palliative care and bereavement teams should provide locally-relevant information regarding the creation of meaningful, culturally appropriate funerals.