Same origin, different implementations: a document analysis of Norwegian and Danish bereavement response plans

Abstract

This article compares the institutional bereavements response systems available in Danish and Norwegian daycare institutions when encountering critical illness or death among attached families. Both countries' structured responses are developed around bereavement response plans that highlights the actions, which should be taken by institution staff when families and children experience challenging life circumstances. Our exploration was conducted through document analysis of 65 Danish plans and 30 Norwegian plans, currently used in daycare institutions.

Despite stemming from the same origin, the two approaches have diverged significantly. This includes Norwegian plans often being longer and written by professionals. In contrast, Danish plans differ more in size and quality and have mainly been written by each institution's daycare staff. The divergences are likely due to differences on an organisational level (e.g. Norwegian law) because of national events (e.g. the Utoya terror attack) and the ways propagators of the support systems went about implementing them in each country. The analysis highlights the two approaches' crucial strengths and weaknesses, which can be useful for other countries considering developing similar bereavement response initiatives.