Structural racism and cultural misunderstanding compound grief for Black British and Black Caribbean communities, study finds

Inequities in how bereavement is experienced and supported among people of Black British and Black Caribbean heritage in England have been revealed in a new study led by the University of Bristol. The research, published in Death Studies, calls for widespread changes to improve bereavement experiences and access to support for Black British and Black Caribbean communities.

People from Black and other minoritised ethnic communities in the UK are known to face persistent health and social care inequities, including barriers to accessing bereavement support. Yet the specific grief experiences and support needs within these communities have remained poorly understood.

Drawing on community conversations and in-depth interviews with 35 participants, this qualitative research study demonstrates how structural racism in healthcare and employment, cultural misunderstanding of Black family structures and traditions, and a lack of tailored end-of-life and bereavement support intensify the pain of loss.

Participants described relying heavily on faith, extended family and community networks in navigating bereavement — an approach that often clashes with the more individualistic norms typically reflected in white British society and in statutory bereavement services.

Some cultural customs, including taboos around the open expression of grief, were reported to make grieving more challenging and left participants navigating bereavement in isolation, without culturally safe or trusted routes to formal support.

In contrast, communal rituals such as Nine-Night and storytelling were seen as vital sources of comfort, cultural continuity, and collective healing. Nine-Night, also known as Dead Yard, is a funerary tradition originating from the Asante people of Western Africa and practiced in several Caribbean countries.

The research was conducted in collaboration with The Ubele Initiative. Karl Murray, Associate Director at The Ubele Initiative, said:

“This important research highlights key aspects of how Black communities see and approach grief. Participants’ voices reflect deeply felt emotional hurt when those around them misunderstand (or perhaps ignore) their traditions, experiences and needs – including the need to support each other and give respect in ways that go to the heart of community.

“Nine-Nights and set ups, for example, are more than revelry but how communities heal and remember their loved ones. By shining a light on the grief experiences and practices of Black British and Black Caribbean communities, we hope this study helps improve understanding, build connection and counter discrimination.”

Lucy Selman, Professor of Palliative and End of Life Care at the University of Bristol, and corresponding author, added:

“Our study provides critical insights into the bereavement experiences of Black British and Black Caribbean communities in England, revealing how structural inequities and cultural norms overlap to shape grief.

“Addressing these challenges requires both systemic reforms and community-level action. Through such efforts, we can move closer to a more compassionate society, where equitable and culturally appropriate support is available to all who are grieving.”

The study found mainstream bereavement services are not designed to meet the cultural, spiritual, or emotional needs of Black communities.

This mismatch contributes to mistrust in services and exacerbates existing health inequalities. The research provides clear evidence that targeted, culturally competent bereavement support is urgently needed to ensure equitable care and uphold national commitments to inclusion and wellbeing.

Dr Alison Penny, Coordinator at the National Bereavement Alliance, commented:

“At the National Bereavement Alliance, we recognise the challenges identified in this new research. It is essential we do more across the bereavement sector to ensure that support is culturally appropriate, embed anti-racist policies and training, and work with partner organisations to build trust and tackle the inequities that people face when accessing support. We welcome this evidence to help inform the development of truly inclusive bereavement support.”

Key findings

• Systemic barriers: Participants reported limited cultural competency across bereavement and health services, including poor understanding of Black grief traditions, spirituality, and family structures.
• Bias in end-of-life care: Rigid systems and assumptions based on white British family norms contributed to sub-standard care and inadequate support.
• Racism compounds grief: Experiences of discrimination in health and social care deepened distress during already vulnerable moments.
• Faith and community are vital—but overstretched: Churches, mosques, and informal networks often provided the only reliable support, but tensions around traditions, intergenerational differences, and gendered expectations placed additional strain, particularly on Black women.
• Trauma and silence: Many participants described cumulative, unresolved trauma across generations, exacerbated by social taboos and a lack of culturally safe spaces to discuss death and loss.

The findings align with the UK Commission on Bereavement’s (2022) principles, including the need for people to feel supported before, during, and after a death, and to have easy access to appropriate emotional bereavement support suited to their circumstances.

National Grief Awareness Week runs from Tuesday 2 to Monday 8 December. On Tuesday 9 December, the University of Bristol Centre for Grief Research and Engagement (Bristol Grief Centre) will have its London launch at the House of Commons.

The Bristol Grief Centre – the first of its kind in the UK – hopes to shift public attitudes towards grief and create communities that are compassionate and connected in their support of people who are bereaved.