PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT IN ITS CULTURAL CONTEXT

Abstract

During the past 20 years in the Western world, there has been an increase of attention given to the significance of perinatal loss. Current practices, based on Euro-American theories of grief and loss, are aimed at facilitating familial adaptation through the creation of memories. Unfortunately, the influences of cultural components on bereavement patterns are often ignored and little attention is given to the applicability and suitability of these practices for our ethnic population. A framework for assessing the cultural influences on patterns of bereavement and for planning appropriate, culturally congruent perinatal bereavement care is presented, using two case examples as illustrations. Implications for the health-care practitioner are discussed.