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Many family caregivers are not prepared for the death of their family member or friend. Palliative care services tend to emphasize the patients' preparation for death rather than caregivers' preparation for, or living after, death. Caregivers’ perspectives on anticipating and preparing for death are under-researched, despite preparation being associated with better bereavement outcomes.

The objective was to explore family caregivers’ preparations for death.

A total of 16 family caregivers of people in receipt of palliative care participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using grounded theory techniques.

Analysis yielded two overarching themes: Here and Now centered on the caregivers’ focus on the multidimensional and all-consuming nature of caregiving for someone who is near death. Negotiating the Here/After described the tension …