Lessons from Research to Normalize Perinatal Bereavement Photography

There have been recent calls to normalize the routine use of bereavement photography to help support perinatal loss and grief. However, much of the research has been limited by the use of small sample sizes conducted almost exclusively with mothers from Western cultural backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ perceptions of the beneficial and negative aspects of perinatal bereavement photography within hospital settings. Data were drawn from a large sample (n = 504) of Australian and New Zealand parents from diverse backgrounds who had used professional perinatal bereavement photography over the past 10 years. A summative content analysis was performed on 489 responses to open-ended survey questions that related to parents’ perceptions of bereavement photography and advice parents wanted to pass on to others. Results highlighted how photography was able to humanize the experience of loss and death. Most participants appreciated the high-quality photographs received and also valued the compassionate, caring, and sensitive interpersonal approach of the photographers. Participants advised other parents to “play it safe” by taking photographs, even if they felt uncertain. Bereaved parents could decide later if they wanted to look at or share photographs. Health professionals were key to normalizing and organizing photography; however, gaining informed consent sensitively from grieving parents is challenging. Therefore, advice for normalizing bereavement photography is included. Suggestions for the professional development of photographers and health professionals are provided. Greater community death literacy education about perinatal loss is recommended.