Thinking about the Future when Death is Inevitable: Consultations in Terminal Care

Abstract

Much of the literature about children and death has emphasized the importance of preparation; these consultations arose out of requests from the family practitioners because the parents were seeking specialist advice in helping their children cope with the imminent death of their mother. Two examples are given where a single session explored, with the parents, the children's understanding of what was happening and of death, and the parents were helped to discuss their concerns and dilemmas, and express their wishes and feelings. The framework of systemic consultation was used alongside a psycho-educational model, drawing on, and sharing the findings of relevant research. Guidelines for such work are elicited from the examples.