The perspectives of bereaved family members on their experiences of support in palliative care.

AIM To explore family members' supportive interactions in palliative care and the emotional experiences that they associate with these interactions. METHODS Qualitative individual interviews were performed with bereaved family members recruited from an urban palliative care service in Sweden. The interviews were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Five categories of supportive interactions with staff members were linked with emotional consequences: informational support, supportive encounters, professional focus of staff, a supportive environment, and bereavement support. Having a dialogue with family members nurtured certainty and security, supportive encounters gave a warm and comforting feeling, and bereavement support contributed to feelings of strength. Environmental factors contributed to dignity. CONCLUSION Supportive interactions with staff and within a home-like environment help to build resilience if tailored to the family member's own needs.