When a child dies: The experience of families during the first year of bereavement as seen through their weblog entries

Abstract

The study of CaringBridge weblog entries, written by10 bereaved families during the first year after their child's death from cancer, were analyzed for meaning of the experience using von Mannen's lifeworld existential as a framework: lived space, lived time, lived body, and lived other. In unscripted, real time journaling, families described their grief and the strategies employed to maintain connectedness to the deceased child: creating special places where they could feel close to the child (lived space); reflecting on time past, mourning the loss of future, and experiencing the firsts/lasts without the child (lived time); regarding metaphysical signs as messages from the child (lived other); and acknowledging their grief as a family (lived body). The results provide information to help health care professionals anticipate what families may need during the first year of bereavement and to guide intervention during that time.