“The person was like the glue in the cracked pot which was no longer there”: Family-focused support for bereavement via co-production of a web-based intervention

Background: Families, friends and support networks are key to managing bereavement. COVID-19 social restrictions prevented families from being with the dying participating in usual rituals honour dead. This resulted disconnection, feelings of guilt, difficulty making sense death reconstructing relationships. In response this context a theoretically informed, co-produced web-resource facilitate meaning-making, which situates bereavement family friends, was developed. paper describes development web-based intervention. Study aims: To co-produce intervention informed by level extension Dual Process Model Family Sense Coherence, pilot gaining user feedback inform refinements readiness for adoption implementation. Methods: Following scoping review, mixed methods study undertaken using an online survey via questionnaire virtual co-production workshop bereaved people professionals. Results: Survey respondents reported pandemic negatively affected (guilt, isolation, inability bear witness) but also presented new opportunities celebrate deceased (new funeral rituals, technology, remote contact, acknowledgement grief). Sense-making were helped through information-giving, networks, relocating person within context. A collective grief viewed positively endorsed. Key content including activities stimulate support, information regarding range experience dealing practicalities, along other sources agreed participants form basis Conclusion: The Families Bereavement encourages consideration close networks. It enables be understood managed shared promoting communication meaning-making.