Supporting patients and families through grief with confidence and compassion

General practitioners are often one of the first healthcare professionals people turn to following the death of a loved one. Whether supporting someone experiencing anticipatory grief, responding to the death of a patient, or helping a bereaved family member navigate the weeks and months after a loss, these conversations can have a lasting impact.

Yet many GPs receive little formal education in bereavement care or contemporary grief theory. Our evidence-based bereavement training combines clinical psychology, grief research and practical communication skills to help GPs feel more confident supporting bereaved patients with compassion and understanding.

“Most GPs view bereavement care as an important aspect of their role, yet many report needing more formal education and up-to-date knowledge of grief.” – O’Connor et al. 2014

Why Bereavement Training Matters for GPs

General practice is often where grief first becomes visible. Patients may book an appointment following the death of a partner, parent, child or friend, seeking reassurance for emotional or physical symptoms, advice about coping, or simply someone to listen.

GPs also support patients facing life-limiting illnesses, families experiencing anticipatory grief, and relatives following the death of a patient. These conversations can be emotionally demanding, particularly when time is limited and grief presents alongside anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties or physical health concerns.

Although communication is central to general practice, many GPs report receiving little formal education in bereavement support or contemporary grief models. Developing a greater understanding of grief can help GPs recognise typical grief responses, identify when someone may benefit from additional support and feel more confident navigating difficult conversations.

Ultimately, compassionate bereavement care can improve the experience of patients and families while helping GPs approach these encounters with greater confidence and clarity.

Common Bereavement Situations GPs Encounter

General practitioners may support bereaved people in many different circumstances, including:

• Looking after their own wellbeing following repeated exposure to loss.
• Supporting patients following the death of a partner, parent, child or friend.
• Recognising the physical and psychological effects of grief.
• Responding to anticipatory grief before an expected death.
• Supporting families following the death of a registered patient.
• Discussing bereavement alongside existing mental or physical health conditions.
• Identifying prolonged or more complex grief reactions.
• Knowing when and how to signpost patients to specialist bereavement support.

General practitioners are often the health professional people turn to for support following the death of a loved one. – O’Connor et al. 2014

Did you know?

• General practitioners are often the first health professionals people turn to following the death of a loved one.
• Research suggests many GPs would welcome greater education in contemporary grief theory and bereavement care.
• Many bereaved people receive little or no formal support following a death, meaning primary care often plays an important role in recognising need and providing compassionate guidance.

Our Bereavement Training for GPs

What you’ll learn

Our bereavement training helps GPs build practical knowledge and confidence in supporting bereaved patients within primary care.

You’ll explore topics including:

• Understanding how grief affects different people.
• Contemporary psychological models of grief.
• Compassionate communication during sensitive consultations.
• Recognising common and more complex grief responses.
• Supporting patients experiencing anticipatory grief.
• Appropriate signposting and referral to bereavement services.
• Looking after your own wellbeing while supporting others.
• Applying grief-informed practice within everyday consultations.

Explore Our Bereavement Training Courses

Whether you’re looking for an introduction to bereavement support, a deeper understanding of grief theory or practical therapeutic approaches, we offer a range of evidence-based learning resources.

Why Choose The Loss Foundation?

The Loss Foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated solely to supporting people bereaved by cancer.

Our training is informed by:

• Clinical psychologists specialising in grief and bereavement.
• The latest grief research and psychological theory.
• Nearly two decades of supporting bereaved people.
• The lived experiences of thousands of people affected by loss.
• Practical, real-world conversations professionals encounter every day.

Rather than focusing solely on theory, our courses combine research with real-world application, helping GPs develop practical skills they can use immediately within primary care.

Bereavement Training for GPs – FAQs

Related Training

You may also be interested in:

• Bereavement Training for Nurses
• Bereavement Training for Healthcare Professionals
• Bereavement Training for NHS Staff
• Bereavement Training for Midwives
• Bereavement Training for Palliative Care Staff
• Bereavement Training for Hospice Staff