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Cited by 43Grief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthDeath, Funerary Practices, and MourningGlobal Maternal and Child Health

The meaning of rituals after a stillbirth: A qualitative study of mothers with a stillborn baby

Tseng, Ying‐Fen, Hsu, Min‐Tao, Hsieh, Yueh‐Tzu, Cheng, Hsiu‐Rong·2018·Journal of Clinical Nursing
DOI 10.1111/jocn.14142
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Abstract

Aims and objectives: To explore the meaning of rituals that women and their families perform after a stillbirth. Background: A cultural taboo in Taiwan prohibits discussing death; thus, parents of stillborn babies have no established public mourning or burial ceremonies to perform for their stillborn children. Stillbirths are often treated as if they had never happened. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Methods: In‐depth interviews, which were transcribed and content analysed, were conducted with a purposive sample of 16 women discharged from two teaching hospitals in Taiwan after they had a stillbirth. Results: Families engaged in rituals for two underlying reasons: to benefit the deceased child and the immediate family. The meanings of the rituals for the child are presented through three themes: (i) sending the baby's spirit to a safe place, (ii) protecting it from suffering and (iii) preparing it for a better reincarnation. The meanings of rituals for the families are presented through four themes: (i) releasing parental guilt by doing their best for the deceased child, (ii) cutting bonds with the child, (iii) avoiding additional misfortune should they mishandle the funeral and (iv) praying for a successful subsequent pregnancy. Conclusions: Death‐related rituals are highly culturally diverse. This study fills a gap about Asian cultures. Participating in rituals permits a mother to do something for her deceased child, helps relieve her guilt and lets her cope with the stillbirth. Rituals after a stillbirth can help a woman recover from grieving and allow her to hope for a successful subsequent pregnancy. Relevance to clinical practice: Health professionals should discuss with bereaved parents what rituals they would like to perform and then respect their decisions. A continuum of care and support that exists from the prenatal diagnosis through the stillbirth and beyond is recommended for parents and families during this difficult time.

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  • Cross-cultural studies with women highlight culturally-specific understandings and practices relating to loss of a baby that can impact grief.

    “However, while the impact of cultural diversity is yet to be explored in men, cross-cultural studies with women highlight a range of culturally-specific understandings and practices relating to the loss of a baby that can impact upon grief [105–109].”

    From Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model (2020) · cites this paper as [107]

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Authors
Tseng, Y., Hsu, M., Hsieh, Y., & Cheng, H.
Affiliations
  • Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology (TW)
  • Kaohsiung Medical University (TW)
Corresponding author
Tseng, Ying‐Fen
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Clinical Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-01-08
Volume
27
Issue
5-6
Pages
1134-1142
ISSN
  • 0962-1067 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2702
DOI
10.1111/jocn.14142
OpenAlex
W2765543738
Cited by
43
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6
FWCI
4.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Journal of Clinical Nursing (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (NSC 98‐2314‐B‐273‐003)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Death, Funerary Practices, and Mourning
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
Keywords
stillbirth, funerary practices, mourning, bereavement, parental guilt, coping with grief, subsequent pregnancy, Asian culture, Taiwan, family rituals, bereaved mothers
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Bereavement, Ceremonial Behavior, Female, Grief, Guilt, Humans, Infant, Mothers, Pregnancy, Taboo, Taiwan, Qualitative Research, Stillbirth, Hope

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