Research into Widowed and Bereaved

Research into Widowed and Bereaved in Ireland

Research

Research on Widowed and Bereaved Partners

This page brings together the research, lived experience, and evidence presented by WBPI to inform policy and advocacy.

Global research

  • Finance: Women tend to suffer greater financial hardship and are more likely to fall into poverty than widowers.
  • Health (mental and physical): The “widowhood effect” is associated with higher mortality rates among the widowed.
  • Social: Widowhood has broader social impacts beyond financial and health-related effects.

66%

increased risk of dying in the first three months after the death of a spouse

(Moon, 2014)

Widowed population in Ireland

CSO Census 2022 data presented in the WBPI research section.

Total number Widowed in Ireland

Children in household

Table showing children in household for widowed households

Aspects of life impacted

Bar chart showing aspects of life impacted after bereavement

Change in employment status

Have you experienced a change in your employment status after the loss of your loved one?

Pie chart showing change in employment status after bereavement

Establishment of formal supports

In your opinion, is there a need for a national organisation to support those who are widowed or have lost their partner in Ireland?

Pie chart showing support for a national organisation for widowed and bereaved partners

Social welfare, administration and wellbeing

  • Illness Benefit: those in receipt of Widow’s Pension are not able to access statutory sick pay.
  • Widowed Parent Tax Credit can only be claimed for 5 years and lessens each year.
  • Income thresholds affect access to additional social welfare payments, grants, and medical cards.
  • A digital death certificate linked to PRSI was raised as an issue.
  • WBPI calls for bereavement-trained staff in the Social Welfare Department who can understand how different payments and situations affect one another.
  • Those who do not qualify for a contributory pension may be unable to apply for a non-contributory pension if they have children.

Social and wellbeing

  • Social prescribing to be made available, tailored to the community.
  • The Department of Education should insist on counselling in schools after parent death.
  • Better information on supports for widowed and bereaved partners is needed.
Growing around grief visual

Establishment of a National Widows Council

  • A one-stop shop to signpost widowed and bereaved partners to the supports available in their own circumstances.
  • Education for institutions, both public and private, on how to assist bereaved partners.
  • Representation on government bodies to inform policy and procedures around bereavement of a partner or spouse.
  • Further research on the ongoing supports and wellbeing of those impacted by bereavement.

Help us build better understanding through research

Support evidence-led advocacy for widowed and bereaved partners in Ireland.

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