Care of relatives following sudden infant death

This paper deals with 301 families who have been offered a consultation for managing bereavement following sudden infant death. Eighty-eight percent of the parents (269 families) accepted and 36 more families outwith Lower Saxony wished to be cared for. Without a previous autopsy 1.172 contacts happened from 1989 to 2003 comprising primary crisis intervention and long-term care, the latter including saying farewell before and after autopsy. One main aim was a close linking with the international self-help organization of parents (GEPS). Single cases conferences were carried out for more than five years according to the Sheffield model. There is given the methodical basis and many details of the care project.