Which family member is most at risk for disenfranchised grief after a patient's death?

Disenfranchised grief refers to the type of grief that is not openly acknowledged or socially supported, often experienced by individuals whose loss is not recognized or validated by others. In the scenario presented, the ex-partner who is estranged from their children is at a particularly high risk for disenfranchised grief. This is primarily because their relationship with both the deceased and the family may not be openly acknowledged, leading to feelings of isolation and a lack of communal support during the grieving process.

Estrangement often means that the ex-partner has limited access to shared mourning rituals and support systems that family members typically engage in. They may feel that their grief is not sanctioned or recognized by the current family dynamics or by society, contributing to a sense of disenfranchisement. In contrast, the long-time family friend, direct family members living with the deceased, and the spouse involved in planning the funeral are likely to have recognized roles in the bereavement process, receiving support and validation from those around them, thereby reducing their risk of disenfranchised grief.