How to Create a Bereavement Pack

A basic guide for providers

A bereavement pack is a small collection of resources that can be offered to families and carers soon after a death.
Resources typically cover three areas of core content:
1. basic information about grief, loss and bereavement
2. practical guidance after a death
3. details of available support (counselling, support groups, online forums, etc).
Resources may be printed from the internet, or in some cases obtained through a relevant organisation.
Consider an appropriate and sensitive way of presenting the pack. Some services place resources in an A5 envelope, with a sympathy card or note included, that expresses the condolences of the service.
If providing a resource for a family or older person where English is not their first language, consider including translated options where available. Resources with translated options are marked with an asterisk (*) below.
It can be helpful to tailor packages by adding extra content of specific relevance to the family and carers.

Suggested core content
Grief and bereavement	Include a simple resource about grief and bereavement e.g. one of the following: Coping with grief (924kb pdf)* (Griefline, translated versions available) Understanding Grief (812kb pdf) (Palliative Care Australia) Alternatively, your organisation may have their own printed booklet or flyer about grief and bereavement to include.
Managing practical matters	Include at least one simple resource with guidance about what to do after a death: The Death Administration Guide (Griefline) lists various tasks that may need to be completed when someone has died. The Who to notify checklist (91kb pdf) (Services Australia) lists people and organisations who may need to contacted when someone has died. Needing help after someone close to you has died* (Services Australia) lets family and carers know about payments and other help that is available after someone has died (translated versions available).
Support services	Include information about these readily available sources of support (as well as information about any other local or organisational support of relevance): Details about the national Griefline Helpline (1300 845 745). Instructions on how to download the My Grief App (Grief Australia). A link to the App could be included in the pack as a QR code, to support ease of access. List of Telephone Helplines (Grief Australia) In addition, your organisation may offer types of bereavement support (e.g. counsellor, pastoral care, memorial service) and the details of these services may be included in the pack.

Suggested core content

Grief and bereavement

Include a simple resource about grief and bereavement e.g. one of the following:

Coping with grief (924kb pdf)* (Griefline, translated versions available)
Understanding Grief (812kb pdf) (Palliative Care Australia)
Alternatively, your organisation may have their own printed booklet or flyer about grief and bereavement to include.

Managing practical matters

Include at least one simple resource with guidance about what to do after a death:

The Death Administration Guide (Griefline) lists various tasks that may need to be completed when someone has died.
The Who to notify checklist (91kb pdf) (Services Australia) lists people and organisations who may need to contacted when someone has died.
Needing help after someone close to you has died* (Services Australia) lets family and carers know about payments and other help that is available after someone has died (translated versions available).

Support services

Include information about these readily available sources of support (as well as information about any other local or organisational support of relevance):

Details about the national Griefline Helpline (1300 845 745).
Instructions on how to download the My Grief App (Grief Australia). A link to the App could be included in the pack as a QR code, to support ease of access.
List of Telephone Helplines (Grief Australia)
In addition, your organisation may offer types of bereavement support (e.g. counsellor, pastoral care, memorial service) and the details of these services may be included in the pack.

Suggested extra content
Other resources	Depending on your care setting and the needs of the bereaved family and carers, consider including other relevant information. For example: Grief, Loss and ‘Sorry Business’ (8MB pdf) (13YARN) Loneliness and grief (962kb pdf) (Griefline)

Suggested extra content

Other resources

Depending on your care setting and the needs of the bereaved family and carers, consider including other relevant information. For example:

Grief, Loss and ‘Sorry Business’ (8MB pdf) (13YARN)
Loneliness and grief (962kb pdf) (Griefline)