Life Came to a Full Stop: The Experiences of Widowed Fathers

Abstract

This study investigated how the death of the mother affected four Danish families. In-depth interviews were undertaken with both children ( N = 7, 7–19 years) and fathers ( N = 4, average age: 46 years) within the same families. The results presented in this article focus on the experiences of the fathers. Thematic analyses as set out by Braun and Clarke resulted in three overall themes: Coping with Loss, Transitions, and Mismatch between Experienced Needs and Provided Help. The results bear witness to a group of bereaved individuals experiencing heavy demands on their time and mental resources while trying to cope with their own grief and that of their children simultaneously. This is especially the case for the three men with younger children. Implications for practice are highlighted, such as a need for focusing on the individual and not offering a one-size-fits-all approach to bereavement support.