This literature review bridges the gap between research on the therapeutic benefits of engaging with textiles and the known benefits of art and narrative driven engagements for individuals and communities navigating grief. The prominence of textiles within historical and cultural contexts shows the way textiles are often key components in mourning rituals and have long been used as expressions of grief, despite its absence within the field thanatology. This article explores how the vast and varied ways people ritualize, memorialize, and engage with textiles have specific therapeutic benefits and support the frameworks within prevalent grief theory. This body of research encourages the application of textiles within personal and collective grief experiences, clinical settings, educational, and counsel spheres by establishing a body of research that addresses the breadth of textile's value as tools for navigating life after loss.

Police personnel in India today are facing various problems, such as administrative, political and social, due to their work culture. These problems are causing severe stress among police personnel. Their mental health is affected by stressful situations, which contribute to feelings of suicidal tendencies and self-harm among them. Consequently, many police personnel across the country are dying by suicide today. The present study aims to understand the nature and causes of suicide among police personnel in India using stress theory. The author has applied secondary data obtained from news content to examine police suicide using content analysis. The author has pointed out in the present study that the nature of suicide found in police personnel is more due to problems arising from their occupation. It has been found in the study that most policemen have died by suicide due to depression and frustration.

Identifying patient's goals and values at end of life is essential to providing patient-centred care. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to describe the changes in goals of care and the nature of end-of-life care during admission to two intensive care units in South Australia. Under a quarter of patients had their goals of care documented on admission to the intensive care unit and among those who subsequently survived to hospital discharge, only 32% had their goals of care documented on hospital discharge. Most deaths in the intensive care unit occurred after withdrawal of life-sustaining interventions. Data from 154 family meetings were collected and consensus was achieved among all parties in most meetings. In this study, fewer than one in four patients had goals of care documented on admission to intensive care with marginal increases by ICU discharge. This represent an area of care that could be improved.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between guilt and prolonged grief disorder in parents bereaved by the death of a child with cancer, mediated by psychological distress and perceived social support. The statistical population included parents who had passed at least one year after the death of their child. 186 people were selected through convenience sampling and responded to questionnaires. The results of the path analysis showed that guilt does not have a direct and significant effect on prolonged grief disorder, but it has an indirect effect through the mediation of psychological distress (β = 0.709, < 0.001). Perceived social support has no direct or indirect effect on prolonged grief disorder. The R index = 0.58 also indicates the desirable explanatory power and predictability of the present conceptual model. Exploratory analysis showed that time since bereavement significantly affected grief symptoms. The findings emphasize the role of negative emotions such as guilt and psychological distress as key predictors of prolonged grief disorder.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe, life-limiting neuromuscular condition associated with progressive disability and premature death. The condition significantly affects the quality of life of patients and their families, often resulting in psychological distress and unmet care needs. Despite growing clinical interest, qualitative evidence on the lived experiences of individuals with late-onset SMA types (II, III, IV) remains limited. This review aimed to synthesize qualitative findings on patient and family experiences in the context of complex symptomatology, unpredictable progression, burdensome caregiving, anticipatory grief, and end-of-life processes. A systematic search across EBSCO Discovery Service, Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, and ProQuest identified 785 studies, of which seven met the inclusion criteria. The review followed PRISMA and SPIDER guidelines, and thematic synthesis revealed three key themes: (1) SMA as a serious condition with challenging symptomatology; (2) Severity of psychosocial impacts of SMA; (3) SMA in the context of experienced loss and premature death.

Staying connected with a person who has died is a common phenomenon in bereavement, generally referred to as (CB). This can take multitudinous forms, a novelty being the utilisation of social media to strengthen the connection. This qualitative meta-synthesis collated research on digital CB to identify themes to help us develop an overarching understanding of how digital platforms are used to express CB and what impact this may have. A systematic search of four relevant databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science) was conducted. Papers were exported to EndNote for screening; ultimately, seven papers were selected for thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified: g, , , and . The included papers clarified reasons for the growing interest in sharing grief digitally, such as affirming relationships and the co-constructed maintenance of identity. These findings can inform modernisation of grief interventions.

To determine the challenges and experiences of caregivers of patients who need palliative care in earthquake-affected areas. The study, which had a descriptive qualitative design, involved 12 caregivers of patients in need of palliative care in a state hospital between February and April 2024. The COREQ checklist was used to guide the reporting of the study. The data was collected semistructured interviews and obtained data were analysed via content analysis.Qualitative analysis of the experiences of family members of individuals who needed palliative care yielded 5 themes. Caregivers encountered a wide range of difficulties, including challenges in evacuation during and after the disaster; a lack of access to basic needs such as shelter, food, water, hygiene and electricity; and the emotional burden of caregiving under crisis conditions. These findings provide data on the challenges that are faced by family members and reveal potential strategies for the provision of care and outcomes during disasters.

The aim of this study is to examine the serial mediating roles of grief cognitions and geriatric depressive symptoms in the relationship between traumatic grief and suicide cognitions among Turkish older adults. In this study, the personal information form, Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report (TGI-SR), Grief Cognitions Questionnaire (GCQ), Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-15) and the Suicide Cognitions Scale-Revised (SCS-R) were used. The analysis of the data obtained in the study was conducted Pearson's correlation, along with the serial mediation methods (model 6). The findings of the study indicated that the relationship between traumatic grief and suicide cognitions was entirely indirect, occurring through a serial mediation mechanism involving grief cognitions and geriatric depressive symptoms (r = .807). These findings indicate that traumatic grief is a complex construct intertwined with grief-related cognitions and geriatric depressive symptoms, which constitute significant risk factors for suicide cognitions among older adults.

This study aimed to contribute to an understanding of how culturally responsive palliative care can be supported, explored through perspectives of palliative care specialists. In interviews, participants described good end-of-life trajectories as including patient autonomy, withdrawal of medically futile treatments, and symptom control. Participants experienced that these ideals were sometimes challenged in clinical encounters with patients and their caregivers with ethnic minority backgrounds. Participants described such encounters as ethically and communicatively complex, leading to fear of transgressing patient boundaries, frustration, and compromised trust in family-provider relationships. These situations lowered the level of patient-centred care and resulted in decreased clinician confidence. While some participants employed informal strategies of cross-cultural palliative care, these were rarely grounded in formal training or guidelines. We therefore recommend the integration of ongoing cultural humility training into the education of palliative care professionals to better support equitable and responsive care in diverse clinical settings.

The study investigated the grief and psychological symptoms of spouses (204 women, 204 men) experienced pregnancy loss. The mean Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) score was 89.73, the mean Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) score was 51.27. Almost half of the spouses had intense grief and one-third experienced psychological symptoms above the thresholds for the PGS and BSI. The grief intensity was similar in spouses, while psychological symptoms were more severe in women than men. The time elapsed after pregnancy loss did not significantly affect grief, but the severity of psychological symptoms decreased as time progressed. Gestational week and number of pregnancy losses did not affect grief, abortion increased grief intensity and psychological symptoms. Self-blame, having a child after a loss, and losing a loved one after a pregnancy loss increased PGS and BSI scores. Psychological support should be provided to men and women after pregnancy losses to prevent prolonged, intense grief.

This study examines how ethical issues in palliative care are perceived and experienced by healthcare professionals and family caregivers in Türkiye. Using a phenomenological qualitative design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 healthcare professionals and 10 family caregivers. Thematic analysis revealed two key themes: "decision-making process" and "service process." While both groups shared similar ethical concerns, their priorities differed. Healthcare professionals emphasized institutional and professional challenges, whereas family caregivers focused on communication gaps, emotional needs, and inadequate patient-centered care. The findings highlight the complex interaction of professional authority, cultural norms, and institutional constraints shaping ethical practices. Strengthening ethical decision-making requires fostering open dialogue between healthcare teams and families, enhancing ethical awareness, clarifying informed consent, and ensuring fair access to services. These insights contribute to improving ethical standards, education, and research in palliative care. Based on participants' lived experiences, these findings contribute to strengthening the ethical foundations of palliative care in Türkiye.

This research aims to examine how Jordanian society deals with death from a cultural and social perspective, focusing on the rituals associated with it. The research adopted a descriptive and analytical approach to document and analyze the stages of funeral rites, from the moment the death is announced until after the funeral, while monitoring the transformations that have occurred in these rituals due to technological developments and economic pressures. The research concludes that death rituals in Jordan constitute an integrated system that combines religious teachings and social customs, and plays a prominent role in strengthening group solidarity and consolidating cultural identity, despite the gradual changes they are witnessing. The research recommends conducting comparative studies between different religious and ethnic environments in Jordan, analyzing the impact of digital media on death rituals, and calling for the scientific documentation of these rituals to preserve them as part of Jordan's intangible cultural heritage.

End-of-life doulas (EOLDs) provide non-medical, holistic support to individuals at or near the end-of-life. However, understanding of the factors that enable EOLDs to provide effective support remains limited. This scoping review examines existing literature on the EOLD role and synthesises key components, mapping them onto a logic model. A systematic search was conducted using relevant keywords across five databases. Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria for the final analysis, all conducted within high-income countries. Key findings highlight the importance of timely referrals, which enable EOLDs to provide relational, person-centred support that promotes the wellbeing of both patients and carers. The review also identifies broader societal benefits, including improved death literacy. The resulting logic model offers a timely and foundational framework to guide discussions on integrating EOLDs into health and social care systems. Further research is recommended to refine the logic model, explore EOLD practices across diverse global contexts, and assess potential cost-benefit implications.

This article presents findings from a qualitative phenomenological study exploring the lived experience of nurses who have witnessed end-of-life dreams and visions (ELDVs) of dying patients. Using Seidman's Three-Interview Series, conducted asynchronously via email, eight nurses from Western Massachusetts contributed six comprehensive and two partial experiential accounts. The study revealed that witnessing these deathbed phenomena was a profound experience, often accompanied by feelings of awe, humility, and a deep sense of privilege. Participants described themselves as guides during the dying process, providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families. Though ELDVs have been recorded for centuries, nurses often remain hesitant to share their experiences due to the lingering taboo surrounding the topic, fueled by fears of judgment and the risk of their experiences being minimized, invalidated, or dismissed.

Pregnancy loss is a profoundly traumatic event that can leave lasting emotional and psychological effects. While subsequent pregnancies are often thought to ease grief, many women continue to experience unresolved distress. This pilot study examined demographic, reproductive, and psychosocial correlates of grief intensity after pregnancy loss among women in the third trimester of a subsequent pregnancy. Twenty partnered women who had experienced a prior pregnancy loss, now beyond the gestational age of that loss, were recruited from childbirth classes. Participants completed standardized measures of grief, social support, spirituality, post-traumatic stress, and depression. Grief intensity was significantly related to education, gestational age at loss, perceived social support, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression. Findings suggest that while subsequent pregnancies may soften grief, they have limited impact on PTSD and depressive symptoms. Targeted interventions remain critical for healing.

This scoping review systematically maps empirical research on journalism and euthanasia, filling a gap left by prior health-focused reviews by centring media studies perspectives. The analysis encompassed 30 studies indexed in Web of Science and Scopus up to October 2025, revealing a thematic emphasis on news coverage related to euthanasia, euthanasia deaths, and end-of-life decisions. Most of these studies employed qualitative content and discourse analysis methods. A strong Global North bias constrains geographic and epistemic diversity. The fragmentation across journals and scientific domains reflects an emerging but methodologically diverse interdisciplinary field. Key media frames emphasised individual autonomy and suffering alleviation while marginalising alternative viewpoints. Significant gaps remain regarding public engagement with media coverage and content production dynamics. The review advocates for geographically diverse, integrative research and evidence-based ethical guidelines. Policymakers must consider media framing's impact on public opinion and ethical debates surrounding end-of-life care.

This study explores how Italian funeral home and cemetery workers construct vocational meaning and navigate identity amid constant exposure to death. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 participants (12 funeral directors, 7 cemetery workers), exploring emotional labor, motivation, coping, stigma, and ethics. Six themes emerged: (1) emotional labor and detachment, (2) mortality and transformation, (3) stigma and invisibility, (4) vocational ethics and care, (5) unique challenges for cemetery workers, and (6) institutional barriers for funeral directors. Despite low social prestige, participants expressed a strong sense of calling and deep ethical commitment. Their narratives reveal a complex professional identity shaped by emotional depth, moral responsibility, and silent service. This study contributes to the vocational behavior literature by shedding light on meaningful work and identity formation in stigmatized, death-related professions.

Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) have been minimally represented in grief research. This grounded theory study aimed to elucidate the grief and bereavement experiences of children with ID from the perspective of their caregivers, and optionally from their child, and to develop a substantive theory to guide developmentally inclusive interventions. Eligible participants were caregivers of a child with ID who was 5-17 years old when they experienced the death of someone significant within the past six months to three years. After purposive sampling through disability organizations, adult caregivers ( = 19) and children ( = 6) participated in semi-structured interviews. Constant comparative analysis led to the Caring Connections theory, which delineates processes related to internal loss experiences and the outward desire to care for others. With clinical implications, this theory highlights that supporting grieving children with ID includes fostering opportunities for caring and connection, which can enhance coping and may mitigate disenfranchised grief.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and has risen over the past 15 years, including among military personnel. This study explores virtual reality (VR) training as a peer-based suicide prevention tool in a military context, comparing it to traditional in-person training. Data from 738 participants at Fairchild Air Force Base assessed confidence, willingness to intervene, and competency using the ACE (Ask, Care, Escort) model and lethal means safety communication, both immediately and after three months. VR training showed higher engagement, with stronger net promoter scores and greater willingness to recommend. Participants trained in VR were more likely to intervene and reported it as more time-efficient without sacrificing content quality. Qualitative feedback emphasized VR's immersive and engaging experience. Findings suggest VR is a promising, scalable approach to suicide prevention, particularly for younger service members, enhancing peer intervention skills without relying on traditional mental health services.

Alevi-Bektashi adherents constitute a significant population both in Türkiye and in the diaspora. Within the framework of the erkân (Alevi-Bektashi social norms), cadaveric organ donation is strongly encouraged as a pathway to the donor's eternal salvation, whereas living organ donations are subject to specific regulations. This study, based on in-depth face-to-face and online interviews with 21 ocakzade Alevi religious leaders (dede), investigates how organ donation-both cadaveric and living-is framed, regulated, and endowed with socio-cultural meanings within the sacred context of the Alevi faith. For the first time in the literature, this research demonstrates that Alevi canlar (those who have undergone the ikrar ritual and officially declared themselves Alevi) represent one of the few faith communities worldwide that adopt a markedly positive stance toward cadaveric organ donation, thereby offering significant potential in this field. The qualitative findings reveal key cultural and religious themes, including trust in science; the precedence of musahiplik (ritual brotherhood); the exclusion of düşkün (banished individuals) and the unjust from benefiting; and the understanding that while the ten (body) perishes, the can (soul) remains eternal.

Cases of terminal lucidity (TL) in children have recently been documented in contemporary literature, yet no studies have examined the impact on caregivers of witnessing TL in children. Using an online survey, this study assessed the impact of witnessing TL in children on seven caregivers who described a total of 11 cases of TL in children. Findings revealed that witnessing TL in children was considered a spiritual experience that influenced caregivers' belief systems. All caregivers had disclosed what they had witnessed to others, resulting in a mixture of skeptical and accepting reactions. Findings suggest witnessing TL in children may initiate a spiritual transformation that has similar implications for enhancing end-of-life care and creating 'space' for TL to be perceived as a natural part of the dying process in terminally ill children.

LGBTQ+ college students experience elevated suicide risk compared to cisgender and heterosexual peers. Drawing on intersectionality and minority stress theory this study explored suicide risk and protective factors within this population. Using data from the 2021-2022 Healthy Minds Study, a latent class analysis was conducted with a subsample of sexual minority students from institutions that completed the Brief Resilience Scale ( = 10,169) to identify subgroups based on race and ethnicity, gender minority status, suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB), identity-based discrimination, and related psychosocial variables. Three classes emerged: (1) Resilient, characterized by low suicide risk and high protective factors; (2) At-Risk, marked by elevated risk and STB; and (3) Discriminated-Against, defined by high levels identity-based discrimination. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between participant characteristics and class membership. Researchers should investigate the unique role of discrimination in shaping mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ people in higher education contexts.

This study investigates whether the protective role of psychological resilience against death anxiety among counseling psychologists varies by gender, age, marital status, loss experience, and professional experience. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 96 counseling psychologists through validated scales. Independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and moderator analyses were conducted. Findings showed that men reported higher resilience, while women reported higher death anxiety. With age, resilience increased and death anxiety declined. Professional experience correlated with higher resilience but had no effect on death anxiety. Marital status and recent loss experience showed no significant impact. Moderator analyses demonstrated that psychological resilience consistently exerted a protective effect on death anxiety, independent of socio-demographic and professional variables. The results are discussed in relation to existing literature, Terror Management Theory, and the Dynamic Model of Resilience, concluding with theoretical and practical implications for coping with existential concerns.

The global funeral economy, following advancements and innovations in virtual and artificial intelligence, has witnessed explosions in the diversification and commodification of burial services, especially bereavement and mourning rituals. This phenomenon has prompted scholars to investigate what is termed 'affection as a service' - technological innovations and products with affordances that allow the bereaved to reconnect posthumously with their loved ones. In this article, I examine yet another growing phenomenon: that of hired, itinerant professional mourners in Ghana. Here, I argue that by appropriating and blending a mode of cultural expression of grief with their unique style of performances, these professional keeners have not only revived an essential tradition for the purposes of cultural continuity, but they have also commodified mourning enactments for financial gains.

A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted to identify the level of knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions of family members and healthcare workers regarding the use of morphine as a pain treatment for individuals at the end of life. The study included healthcare professionals and caregivers of individuals who had died from serious illnesses affiliated with a rural health center in an inland city in the western region of Uruguay between August 2021 and June 2022. The findings may contribute to understanding the determinants that influence opioid use in healthcare centers lacking access to specialized palliative care. Additionally, the results could support decision-making processes regarding the indication, administration, and acceptance of pain medication by healthcare professionals and families of patients with advanced chronic progressive conditions.

Pregnancy loss is a traumatic experience, and the quality of care can vary significantly across healthcare settings. However, evidence on the impact of different types of care on psychological outcomes is limited. This study examined the relationship between specialized care for parents experiencing pregnancy or neonatal loss and the level of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as the role of midwifery support, one month post-loss. Using longitudinal data from 732 Danish parents who experienced a loss between 2016 and 2021, we found that 22.5% ( = 165) received specialized care. Compared to standard care, specialized care was associated with fewer PGD and PTSD symptoms. Additionally, parents who received specialized care reported significantly higher levels of midwifery support, with variation by type of loss (miscarriage/termination/stillbirth/neonatal death). While this study indicates benefits from specialized care for bereaved parents, further studies should be conducted to consolidate these findings.

The brief REACH VA intervention for bereaved caregivers, adapted from the REACH VA (Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers' Health) behavioral caregiver intervention, was piloted October 2023 to March 2025. REACH is structured and standardized to focus on information about grief and bereavement, support, and physical and emotional well-being through problem solving, cognitive reframing, and stress management, but targeted to each bereaved caregiver's specific needs through a Risk Assessment. An accompanying Notebook provides information on practical issues, understanding grief, grief activators, and moving from the caregiver role. In the pilot, 207 caregivers participated in four one-hour sessions with a trained and certified program coach. On average, caregivers reported significant improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and symptoms of anger (all < .001). Benefits reported were emotional validation, the coach, and new skills. In February 2025, through the Department of Veterans Affairs Caregiver Support Program, each VA facility implemented the program.

This study adopts a Husserl's phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of bereaved mothers in District Doda, India. In a patriarchal society where women bear primary child-rearing responsibilities, mothers experience a compounded burden of grief after neonatal loss. The study highlights their emotional and psychological struggles, as well as systemic and cultural challenges. Using Lazarus and Folkman's stress and coping theory and Braun & Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected mothers. Six key themes emerged: emotional and psychological impact, health-related behavioural changes, healthcare barriers, gender struggles and lack of support, social and cultural stigma, and coping and resilience. Despite the pain, mothers demonstrated resilience rooted in faith, interpersonal bonds, and emotional adjustment. The study calls for urgent social and mental health support, healthcare reforms, and culturally sensitive interventions to support grieving mothers in rural areas and reframe how maternal bereavement is addressed in policy and practice.

The study aimed to assess post-traumatic growth (PTG) levels among adult earthquake survivors from Türkiye (Kahramanmaraş, 2023) and Peru (Pisco, 2007), who experienced earthquakes at different points in time, and to investigate the impact of sociodemographic and earthquake-related factors on PTG. In the descriptive cross-cultural study, data were collected online using the snowball sampling method through the Individual Information Form and the Post-Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Expanded (PTGI-X) from a total of 749 survivors participating (388 from Türkiye and 361 from Peru). According to one-way ANCOVA, survivors of the Peru earthquake exhibited higher PTG levels (79.91 ± 23.74) with a small effect size (η < 0.017) compared to survivors of the Türkiye earthquake (74.23 ± 26.48), potentially due to the longer time elapsed since the traumatic event ( < .05). After adjusting for the country variable, two-way ANCOVA results revealed that those injured by the earthquake and those who had a different traumatic experience(s) after the earthquake had higher PTGI-X scores.

Deathbed visions (DBVs) are anomalous experiences reported near the end of life. This study aimed to examine the phenomenology of DBVs and their psychological and behavioral effects on experiencers and narrators within an Iranian and Islamic cultural context. A descriptive-analytical, quantitative design was employed. Forty-five narrators who had cared for dying individuals completed a researcher-developed questionnaire assessing demographic information, DBV characteristics, and psychological indicators. Non-parametric tests were used to explore the relationships between variables. The narrators were predominantly young women, while the experiencers were mostly older men with lower educational attainment. DBVs were primarily visual, occurred during wakefulness, and became more frequent as death approached. About 56% of the DBVs were associated with positive emotional effects, whereas 25% induced feelings of anger. The psychological impact on narrators ranged from mild to moderate, primarily affecting mood. Notably, repetitive DBVs were significantly associated with greater psychological impact (p = .007). Demographic variables did not significantly influence the severity of psychological effects. DBVs are multifaceted experiences with diverse emotional consequences, shaped by both individual and cultural factors. Caregivers exposed to repeated DBVs may benefit from psychological support. Further cross-cultural and longitudinal research is recommended to expand generalizability and inform therapeutic approaches.