Judy Ryan and colleagues discuss a series of interviews with bereaved service users who had not revealed their feelings of grief and loss before

This article describes a qualitative study in which people with intellectual disabilities (learning disabilities in the UK) living in residential homes were asked to describe family life and loss. Interviews with eight such individuals revealed the significance of their family lives, and how their grief at the loss of a parent is compounded by disruptions in familial networks and living arrangements. In such situations, this article concludes that personal plans should include the opportunity for people with an intellectual disability to express their grief to help them cope with their bereavement and loss.