SUPPORT AROUND DEATH

Support Around Death

This NHS Education for Scotland website aims to support health and social care staff who are working with patients, carers and families before, at, and after death. It provides key information on the clinical, legislative, and practical issues involved.

NES materials on this site are available in alternative formats and community languages please email SupportAroundDeath@nes.scot.nhs.uk to discuss how we can best meet your requirements

Before death

At/After death

Bereavement

Video Wall

If you are a patient, relative or carer looking for information on end of life or bereavement care, please visit:

Latest news

14/05/26

Talking about Bereavement Podcast

Lynne Innes speaks with Professor Lucy Easthope about grief, recovery and finding hope after loss.

30/04/26

Talking about Bereavement Podcast

In this episode, guests discuss their collaborative work to improve how schools support children, families & staff through bereavement, loss & grief.

16/04/26

Talking about Bereavement Podcast

Guest Rachel Weir discusses supporting families bereaved by alcohol and drug related deaths and the importance of replacing judgement with compassion.

09/04/26

Call for Conference Abstracts Now Open

Have you been working on something around bereavement you think would benefit others in health and social care? The window is now open to submit

02/04/26

Talking about Bereavement Podcast

Podcast guest Mark Evans reflects on his own personal loss, how this loss reshaped his understanding of grief & the importance of simply ‘being there'

02/04/26

Demystifying Death Week

Demystifying death week takes place 4th-10th May across Scotland hosted by Good Life, Good death, Good Grief. Read more here

23/03/26

Bereavement Learning Session

Registration is open for Session 4 of Getting Bereavement Right Every Time, Thursday, 4 June. Open to all health and social care staff

19/03/26

Talking about Bereavement Podcast

Alyson Vale, Business and Operations Director, Abbotsford Care talks about encouraging conversations around death and dying in a care home.

View all news

NES 'Talking about Bereavement' Podcast Series

In this episode, Lynne Innes talks to Professor Lucy Easthope, leading authority on disaster recovery / Centre for Death and Society, University of Bath who discusses how both her personal and professional experiences have shaped her understanding of grief and bereavement. Lucy emphasises the need to rethink recovery, actively listen to bereaved individuals - particularly children and the importance of actively seeking joy.

You can listen to the episode on Spotify or visit the Podcast page for more information.

If you would like to explore Lucy's work further please visit Whatevernext – Professor Lucy Easthope website.

A transcript for this podcast can be found here.

Short Educational Animations

This animation is one example of the short educational videos NES have produced for health and social care professionals around bereavement - please visit our video wall to see more.

Discussing dying is something most of us shy away from. The potential discomfort is not just in the patient’s mind - it’s also likely to be in the minds of the professionals who are looking after them. This NES video aims to help healthcare professionals discuss dying openly and honestly with their patients.

Two downloadable leaflets which accompany the video can be found here: summary leaflet and detailed leaflet.

Site Guide

Before Death

This section covers information regarding end of life care, patient and family support, CPR decisions and organ donation.

Before Death

At/After Death

Focused on the completion of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death, but also covers confirmation of death, post mortems and involvement of the procurator fiscal.

At/After Death