A voice unheard: grandparents' grief over children who died of cancer

Abstract

Traditionally, bereavement care for families of children who have died is provided for parents and siblings. Literature review revealed that grandparents' bereavement has barely been studied or reported. The aim of this study is to examine the special characteristics, needs, and grief coping strategies of this population. A qualitative case study of a group of grandparents of children who had died from oncological diseases was conducted. The group met for 9 months. The method of data collection was observation and recording. The group discussions raised a variety of themes, some common to other grief groups and some unique to grandparents. The themes unique to grandparents dealt with issues such as the legitimacy of their grief, their pained relationship with their children, and the specific meaning of this loss at old age. Based on our findings, a model of three concentric circles is suggested. (1) The personal level deals with effects on grief of advanced age, closeness to one's own death, and other losses in life. (2) The family circle focuses on the dynamics of the three-generation-family and the role of the grandparents. (3) The culture circle relates to the questions of the “place” of grandparents' bereavement: where, how, when, and with whom do grandparents experience and express their grief.

Keywords:

• bereavement
• grandparents
• oncology
• cancer
• group

Acknowledgements

We thank deeply the grandparents who participated in this group and led us in this poignant voyage. We also thank Lynn Halamish for her valuable help and support in conducting the group.