Understanding the influence of bereaved family caregivers’ perception of a good death on their caregiving experiences: A meaning making perspective

Abstract

This retrospective qualitative study aimed to examine the influences of bereaved family caregivers’ perception of good death for their dying spouse or parent on their caregiving experiences. A purposive sample of 15 participants were recruited from a hospice and their narratives were analyzed. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, five key components of a perceived good death that intermixed well-established Western attributes with deeply rooted Asian values were identified and meanings ascribed to their caregiving experiences were based on that. These findings suggested implications for practice on the entire service continuum from palliative and end-of-life care to bereavement services.