Bereavement: Theory, Clinical Presentation, and Intervention in the Setting of Cancer Care

Support of the many ways grief presents throughout the cancer journey allows providers to form trusting relationships with the patient and family so that they can facilitate continuity of care from end of life through bereavement. Psycho-oncology professionals should be comfortable with the multiple presentations of grief and be able to manage such expressions or to make appropriate referrals when risk factors are apparent or clinical intervention seems necessary. This chapter provides an overview of influential theoretical models, clinical descriptions of grief, pathological reactions to bereavement and related risk factors, and grief interventions. It highlights to importance of providing support, identifying those at risk, and applying evidence-based approaches to reducing the suffering of those in greatest need.