Abstract
The purpose of this study is to research the needs, availability, and support services available to bereaved individuals of out-of-hospital deaths. This study included a purposive convenient sample of individuals who work with bereaved persons in a professional capacity, specifically law enforcement chaplains, bereavement group facilitators, and hospice social workers in the greater Sacramento area. Participants completed an online survey questionnaire which included questions about bereaved persons of out-of-hospital deaths specifically related to: needs, available services, where to access services, and barriers to serving that population. Study findings indicate that there is a disparity between the types of services available to bereaved persons of out-of-hospital deaths. Bereaved persons of sudden, unexpected, and traumatic deaths had access to fewer resources and were perceived to be more underserved by the current service delivery system than bereaved persons of expected death. Implications for social work practice include promoting awareness and advocacy for bereaved persons of out-of-hospital deaths. On a macro level the profession could examine whether there are additional ways that social workers can support bereaved families of out-of-hospital deaths.