evidence: Background Bereaved people need a supportive response from those around them. Knowing children’s and surviving parents' needs following parental death is the first step to ensuring a supportive response. However, no systematic review has reported on this phenomenon. [...] Bereaved children need a supportive response. [...] The most helpful types of support came from people who were well known to children before their loss.23–25 27 28 30 31 Friends knowing the deceased parent provided special conversational support, as it was easier to talk to them and share memories.27 Children also felt more secure speaking with close friends, with less worry of being teased or hurt.27