Background Anticipatory grief is the grieving process that can happen prior to a loss or bereavement experience (Dehpour & Kopffman. Aging Ment Health. 2023;27(1):110–123). Lindemann describes anticipatory grief as a response to defending against the unpleasant effects of death (Am J Psychiatry.1994;151(6 Suppl):155–60). Assessment for this could be clinically significant as Rando (J Palliat Care. 1988;4(1–2):70–3) and Burke and Neimeyer (In: Stroebe M, Schut H & van den Bout J. eds. Complicated grief: scientific foundations for health care professionals. Routledge; 2013) identify that anticipatory grief shortens the grieving process and lessens its intensity which aids post mortem bereavement and reduces the risk of complicated grief. Considering the effects of anticipatory grief, it could be deemed that this process has beneficial therapeutic outcomes. However, Moon (Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2016;33(5):417–20) questions if the recognition of anticipatory grief is translated into everyday practice and care delivery. Although a recognised phenomenon, Nielson (Clin Psychol Rev. 2016;44:75–93) and Matthews et al. (Psychooncology. 2017;26(5):593–607) identify that it is not assessed or therapeutically explored in comparison to other, mainly physical symptoms. This can have a significant impact on quality of life for service users and post bereavement needs for carers (Coelho, et al. Qual Health Res. 2020;30(5):693–703).

Aim To review literature on theoretical models of anticipatory grief and consider how these can be applied to practice.

Methods The following databases will be searched to May 2024 MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane databases. A combination of subject headings and key words for anticipatory grief, preparatory grief, anticipatory mourning, anticipatory grief assessment will be included in the search.

Results Based on the aims and search criteria, results will discuss the concept of anticipatory grief, impact on service users and how health care professionals can accommodate this within their practice.

Conclusion The conclusion will be relevant to health care professionals caring for people at the end of life and their carers who may be experiencing anticipatory grief. Thus aiding holistic, person- centred care which could impact on experiences of grief.