Dying and Bereavement, Spirituality and Social Work in a Market Economy of Welfare

This paper examines the contribution of social work practice to the care of people who are dying or bereaved. It considers current challenges to traditional practice arising from societal and organizational change, reaffirming the importance of the social work role but arguing that, in order to face those challenges, social workers must broaden their perspective to incorporate a spiritual dimension. The paper draws on a research study conducted by the author.