The impact of Covid-19 on bereavement care in Ireland: A national survey of bereavement care providers

Objectives: To a) describe bereavement care providers' experience of demand and type of need for bereavement care during the first year of the pandemic; b) describe the self-assessed impact on care providers of providing bereavement care through the pandemic; c) identify service adaptations and challenges currently faced.Methods: Data was collected via an online survey of Irish bereavement service workers (n=199) during the 2021 level 5 restrictions enforced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Results: 47% of respondents noted an increase in the demand for their bereavement support service, with many reporting higher levels of distress and more complex needs among service users. 47% reported an increase in the emotional impact of the work, their increased need for support from their employer and the increased pressure they felt due to the service user volume and needs. Many service providers altered their service provision and/or developed new services to meet the changing pattern of needs and restrictions in the way they could provide their service. The positive changes and opportunities resulting from the pandemic were also noted, some of which they intended to continue post-pandemic.Conclusion: The pandemic and related restrictions shone a light on the way we die and grieve in Ireland. Bereavement care is not represented in health and social policy in an integrated way. With the current focus on bereavement, now may be the time to develop a national policy for bereavement care, which should provide direction for service provision and pathways, alongside public education to meet bereavement needs.