Grief and bereavement care in pediatric palliative care: Gaps, global disparities, and a proposed integrated framework.
Publication/Presentation Date
10-8-2026
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Grief and bereavement care (GBC) remains an underrecognized component of pediatric palliative care (PPC), contributing to the emotional and psychological burden experienced by patients, families, and healthcare professionals (HCPs). This perspective review examines gaps in GBC, defines key types of grief in pediatric settings, and proposes a framework to improve patient- and family-centered grief support.
METHODS: We conducted a narrative perspective review using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify literature on GBC in PPC. Search terms included combinations of "grief," "bereavement," "pediatric palliative care," "children," "caregivers," "siblings," "healthcare professionals," "anticipatory grief," "complicated grief," and "prolonged grief disorder." Publications from 2020 onward were prioritized, with seminal earlier studies included when clinically or conceptually relevant.
RESULTS: GBC in PPC differs from adult models because of developmental considerations, prolonged illness trajectories, and family-centered decision-making. Relevant forms of grief include anticipatory, disenfranchised, complicated, and prolonged grief, affecting patients, families, and HCPs. Effective approaches include early palliative care integration, legacy-making activities, structured communication, and interdisciplinary psychosocial support. However, global disparities persist, and HCPs frequently report inadequate training and institutional support.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: GBC should be viewed as a longitudinal, culturally sensitive, system-wide responsibility extending from diagnosis through bereavement. Integrated frameworks emphasizing early communication, patient- and family-centered care, and formal grief training for HCPs may strengthen bereavement support and reduce unmet psychosocial needs across the pediatric illness trajectory.
Volume
24
First Page
256
Last Page
256
ISSN
1478-9523
Published In/Presented At
Castillo, K., Landivar, M. C., Zambrano, K., Dirani, M., Montenegro, D., Maldonado, G., Macias, V., Noboa, L., Valdivieso, E., Castillo, J. M., Cortez, V., Dueñas, S., Salas, P., Garzon, S., & Grunauer, M. (2026). Grief and bereavement care in pediatric palliative care: Gaps, global disparities, and a proposed integrated framework. Palliative & supportive care, 24, e256. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951526103824
PubMedID
42844897
Department(s)
Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article