Gareth’s blog: Providing culturally tailored support for bereaved families

Gareth’s blog: Providing culturally tailored support for bereaved families

At Forget Me Not, we support families through some of the most difficult experiences they will ever face. Dying Matters Awareness Week (5th-11th May) is an important opportunity to highlight not just why it’s important to talk about death and bereavement, but also how we support families from all walks of life when the unthinkable happens.

Each family’s experience of grief is shaped by their culture, faith, and personal beliefs. That’s why we work hard to offer support that is compassionate, flexible and culturally sensitive. Our care is tailored to each family’s needs – from emotional support and counselling to practical help with planning funerals.

For example, Tara, our South Asian family support worker, supports bereaved families from the Muslim community, helping them to honour the traditions of their faith, while also making sure they get the time and space they need to grieve.

Having a dedicated South Asian family support worker who’s built excellent relationships with local imams, funeral directors and hospitals, means that families can feel confident that their specific cultural and religious practices will be understood and supported. And that can be very reassuring at an incredibly difficult time.

Of course, support doesn’t end with the funeral. We continue to be here for families with bereavement support, counselling, peer support groups, creative therapies and more. At our spice and sparkle group, for example, families come together to cook amazing food and support each other through the challenges they face.

This Dying Matters Awareness Week, we’re encouraging everyone to be more open in talking about death, dying and bereavement. These conversations help families get the right support, and ensure no one has to face loss alone.

At Forget Me Not, we’re proud to walk alongside every family, every step of the way — respecting their wishes, honouring their traditions, and providing the care they need at the time they need it most.