Grief in Families Who Have Experienced Organ and Tissue Donation: An Integrative Review
Keywords:
Organ Donation, Death, Family, BereavementAbstract
Objective: To describe bereavement experiences among families who went through the process of organ and tissue donation, based on evidence from national and international literature. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted across five databases (CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, and VHL), utilizing descriptors related to bereavement, organ donation, and family experiences. The guiding research question was: what bereavement experiences are described in the national and international literature among families who experienced organ and tissue donation? The search was carried out in August 2024, covering the period from 2001 to 2024. The data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Nine studies were included, and the evidence was organized into three categories: (1) Stressors in bereavement; (2) Protective factors in grief; (3) Post-donation actions directed at families. Findings indicate that bereavement in this context is shaped by emotional, social, and institutional dimensions. Conclusion: Bereavement among families involved in organ and tissue donation is complex and influenced by factors that may either exacerbate or mitigate suffering. Qualified support, empathy, active listening, and understanding of brain death can foster healthier grieving processes. However, gaps remain in the literature, particularly in Latin American countries, highlighting the need for further studies to guide interventions, professional training, and the development of care protocols for families undergoing this experience.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Eloisa Oliveira Costa, Kelly Laste Macagnan, Franciele Roberta Cordeiro, Vanessa Araujo Marques, Juliana Graciela Vestena Zillmer
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