Responding to AIDS-Related Bereavement in the South African Context

AIDS continues to be a death sentence for many individuals living in South Africa where it remains the leading cause of death. Little is currently known about what it is like to experience the loss of a loved one to AIDS from the South African perspective and how to assist individuals who are living in a context vastly different from similarly bereaved individuals in the West. The purpose of this article is to discuss contextual issues that may affect individuals in South Africa who are grieving AIDS-related deaths and to offer preliminary suggestions on how to help these individuals. The author draws on his experience in the province of KwaZulu-Natal working with people affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as discussions with practitioners involved in HIV/AIDS care in this region.