Scotland's first Bereavement Charter for Children and Adults launched

Today, the need for such a Charter has become even more important due to the unique circumstances we currently find ourselves in as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are bereaved may not have been able to be with a person as they approach the end of their life and may be isolated from their usual networks of support. It has also changed the traditional ways we are able to mark our grief. Traditional bereavement rituals and funerals have changed with many people now unable to attend funerals in the way that they might have in the past. Many deaths have become sudden with little or no time to prepare.

The Charter is designed to help us understand not only the importance of bereavement support, but what that support needs to look like. It contains 15 statements which describe what the best bereavement care and support should look like.

Rami Okasha, CEO of CHAS, commented:

"As a society, we need to speak more openly about death and dying and break down the taboo that has crept in. Grief and bereavement are natural parts of life, and we can all do things which help ease the pain of those who experience this.

"It is great to see the Bereavement Charter focus on kindness and compassion. These are core attributes of care that matter so much. The charter also aligns well to human rights principals and the Health and Social Care Standards which set out the experiences people should have.

"I am delighted to endorse the charter, strongly, and we all need to work together to make it a reality for everyone."

Whilst accepting that every death is unique and that the way we each come to terms with a death is individual, this Charter and Guidance attempts to describe what good bereavement support can look like and what difference it can make.

It is hoped that the Charter will help us as a nation become more effective at supporting people to grieve.

You can view the Charter here: https://scottishcare.org/bereavement.