Supporting Refugee, Migrant and CALD Families Through Grief and Loss

Supporting Refugee, Migrants & CALD families in times of grief

When a baby or child dies, compassionate, culturally safe care is essential—especially when supporting refugee, migrant and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families.

In many communities, grief is expressed in deeply cultural ways, and traditions around loss, mourning, and burial may vary significantly. Health professionals can provide more respectful and effective support by being open, flexible, and guided by the family’s preferences and beliefs.

Why Cultural Safety Matters in Bereavement Care

For families from ethnic minority or refugee backgrounds, grief can be shaped by past trauma, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with the healthcare system. Creating a culturally safe space means:

• Respecting each family’s unique cultural and spiritual beliefs

• Understanding that expressions of grief may vary significantly

• Supporting cultural or religious rituals around death and burial

• Including extended family and community members when appropriate

• Avoiding assumptions—even within the same cultural group

The best approach is to ask open, respectful questions like:

“Are there any cultural or spiritual needs you would like us to consider?”

This helps build trust and ensures care is aligned with what matters most to the family.

Watch the Video: Supporting Refugee, Migrant and CALD Families

This video was co-created with community members and bereaved parents with lived experience to support healthcare professionals in providing culturally appropriate grief care.