The planning, organising and delivery of a memorial service in critical care.
The Intensive Care Society (1998) recommends that facilities should be available to follow up bereaved relatives. As part of bereavement follow up, a memorial service has been held at Royal Preston Hospital for the last three years. Over 300 people attended in 2003. A memorial service is often referred to as a ritual. Rituals seem to meet certain universal needs, such as confirming the reality of the death, assisting in the expression of feelings, stimulating memories of the deceased and providing support to the family and friends of the deceased. An audit in 2003 has confirmed the value of the service: 97% of attendees were glad they attended the service and 72% would like to be invited to the service again next year.
Platt
Jane
J
Critical Care Unit Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston PR2 9HT. jane.platt@lthtr.nhs.uk
D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001601:Bereavement; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D004739:England; D005655:Funeral Rites; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011368:Professional-Family Relations