The Grief Experiences and Needs of Bereaved Relatives and Friends of Older People Dying Through Suicide: a Descriptive and Case-Control Study

The authors examined a) problems experienced during legal procedures after death & b) grief experiences, in 85 relatives & friends bereaved through the suicide of a person aged 60 or older. 42.4% reported problems in their dealings with the coroner’s office, & 33% described distress caused by media reporting of the inquest. In comparison with those bereaved by deaths through natural causes, those bereaved by suicide scored higher on measures of stigmatization, shame, sense of rejection, & “unique reactions.”. Implications are discussed. (25 refs)