M.A. / An investigation of existing research literature was undertaken to explore the experience of bereavement of parents whose child has died. The review comprises an overview of theoretical approaches to bereavement and the various factors which determine the grief experience. These include an examination of factors surrounding the loss, personal factors and coping skills, as well as an outline of familial, cultural and social aspects. A further focus of the review, is on the process of meaning making in the aftermath of a traumatic event, such as parental bereavement following on the loss of offspring. A particular focal point in this respect is the exploration of how the experience of parental bereavement motivates the search for meaning and the possible significance of this meaning in the continued life of the bereaved parent.

Empowerment for those supporting the bereaved lies in understanding the processes by which meaning is constructed out of a loss. My concern is that models currently underpinning understanding and practice in grief recovery provide limited assistance to loss and grief practioners. These theories, based around set stages and tasks with pre-determined objectives, offer stereotypic "after the event" perspectives on the recovery process. This has value as background information, but in the extreme promotes a clinical, de-personalised approach to uderstanding and support. My experiences over more than a decade of working alongside the suicide-bereaved in particular, suggest that a more enlightened pathway lies with people and their stories. Working in an empathic dialogic relationship, with an emphasis on understanding rather than closure, is more appropriate in assisting those treading the very sensitive, very personal, bereavement path. Furthermore, the narrative grounded approach is more in tune with the processes involved; and more likely to lead to productive outcomes in both the short and long term.The presented model argues that bereavement recovery is a re-educative reconstruction process: trialogic, semiotic sign or symbol related; recognising significant personal autonomous control; genetically or organically activated and driven; dynamic and ongoing; and constructed out of the individual's socio-cultural knowledge base. The model further argues that recovery is best constructed in a climate of empathic understanding and genuine non-judgemental acceptance of the bereaved individual's current perceptual world. In expounding and supporting this model, the tradition of pragmatic educational philosophy has been found useful - in particular, relevant apects of the theories of Carl Rogers, John Dewey, Alfred Shutz and Charles Stanford Peirce.I contend that the proposed model may be applied to all forms of profound loss, however the main context for this research is a Bereaved-by-Suicide Support Group.