Nuzum, Daniel; Fitzgerald, B.; Evans, M. J.; O'Donoghue, Keelin

2021

January

Journal of religion and health

Maternity healthcare chaplains and perinatal post-mortem support and understanding in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An exploratory study

Validated

Altmetric: 11 ()

Post-mortem Autopsy Chaplaincy Bereavement Stillbirth Perinatal

Perinatal autopsy rates have declined significantly in recent decades. There is a lack of consensus concerning the potential religious influences for bereaved parents in their decision making process for post-mortem. This online study of British and Irish maternity healthcare chaplains explored their understanding of general and local perinatal post-mortem procedures and their experiences in the support of parents. Participants included Christian, Muslim and non-faith chaplains. No chaplain identified any religious prohibition to perinatal post-mortem. A majority of chaplains reported that they had been asked about post-mortem by parents; only a minority felt adequately prepared. A key recommendation is that following appropriate training chaplains may be well placed to support colleagues and parents during the decision making process.

1573-6571

10.1007/s10943-020-01176-4