Bereavement policies and plans in education: Evidence, barriers, and recommendations

Abstract

When children lose a close family member, the effects on their well-being, social development, and education are profound and enduring. Over the past three decades, bereavement response policies and plans have been developed in parts of Scandinavia, most systematically documented in Denmark and Norway. This article presents a narrative review of 59 peer-reviewed studies, supplemented by contextual books and reports, to examine how such policies and plans have been designed, implemented, and evaluated. The review synthesizes evidence on successes and barriers, with attention to cross-national comparisons. Findings show that policies and plans can strengthen institutional preparedness and staff confidence, but effectiveness depends on local ownership, leadership, training, and alignment with children’s lived experiences. Barriers include gaps in grief literacy, institutional resistance, and misconceptions about grief. The review highlights lessons for practice, policy, and research, offering recommendations for more compassionate, evidence-informed bereavement support in education.