Breaking the news of the death of a patient to their relatives is one of the most difficult and dreaded aspects of nursing. While it is not an aspect of the job that nurses relish, it is key that nursing staff have full understanding of their role during this time to allow them to communicate this difficult news in a sensitive manner. This article will examine the role of the nurse in communicating the news of a patient's death to their next of kin and relatives. Staff education and training to deal with the bereaved will be assessed, as will the nurse's perceptions of their role. The impact of the nurse's presence on the bereaved will be looked at, and finally the role of the nurse in bereavement follow up will conclude this article.