Bereavement and Crisis Policy

In Cases of Life-Threatening Illness, Serious Accidents, or Similar Situations

1. It is the school’s policy that the family or other close relatives must inform the school if the family or a close relative is affected by serious illness, an accident, or death.
   
2. If a student suffers a serious injury or becomes suddenly ill, the office must be informed, and the information will then be passed on to the high school counselor/class team.
   
3. In the case of a serious illness, the administration and any appointed contact person will work with the student to decide whether the class and, if relevant, the dormitory should be informed.
   
4. In the case of a serious illness, the administration and any appointed contact person will work with the student to decide whether the class and, if relevant, the dormitory should be informed.
   
5. The class team, dormitory teacher (where relevant), and the student’s other teachers will collaborate to help the student reintegrate into the class following their recovery and absence.
   
6. If the illness involves a disability or a particularly serious condition (e.g., AIDS or cancer), the administration and the team will inform the class and address any questions or misconceptions. The same applies to dormitory students, where the administration and dormitory teacher will also be involved. However, this is only done with the student’s consent or if the condition cannot be hidden. External organizations with expertise in such matters, such as Rigshospitalet’s "Project Respect," may be consulted.

If a Student Loses a Close Family Member or Other Significant Person

Immediately After the School Is Notified of the Death:

1. The office will immediately notify the class team and, for dormitory students, the dormitory teacher. A contact person will be appointed, which could be a representative from the administration, the dormitory teacher, the school counselor, or one of the student’s teachers—often a team teacher (high school) or the class teacher (Middle school).
   
   
2. In each case, the administration will decide on the appropriate measures to take. The student will always be offered a conversation with the school psychologist and SUS (student support). This offer is communicated by either the administration or the contact person.
   
   
3. The administration will coordinate with the family on how and to what extent other students should be informed. In some cases, the information may be limited to the class and/or the dormitory students.
   
   
4. The students who are informed will be guided on how to respond. It will be emphasized that there is no need for silence about what has happened.
   
   
5. The administration will also consider whether it is necessary to take other initiatives involving students beyond the one directly affected.

The Funeral

1. Teachers and classmates will be given the opportunity to attend the funeral.

Follow-up

1. The class team (high school), the class teacher (Middle school), the contact person, and the dormitory teacher will monitor the student’s emotional well-being and keep each other informed if there are any concerns.
   
   
2. Unless otherwise agreed with the family or the student, the mentor will naturally inquire about the student’s situation during mentoring sessions. The loss will not be the primary focus but may serve as context for the conversation when appropriate. 
   
   
3. The class teachers will assess whether and when the loss or broader questions should be discussed with the class.
   
   
4. I forhold til ovennævnte forholdsregler sker i forhold til eleverne altid en konkret vurdering om afgivelser med udgangspunkt i elevernes alder og situation i øvrigt, idet de hensyn skolen skal tage spænder over meget forskellige livssituationer i forhold til alder og bopæl m.m.

If a student dies

Immediately after the death:

1. Teachers will be notified via email, followed by a meeting in the staff room. Team teachers (high school), class teachers (primary school), dormitory teachers, and any contact persons not on-site will be notified by phone.
   
   
2. Students will be informed in an assembly. If the information arrives after school hours or before morning assembly, this will typically take place in the church, where the circumstances will be explained, and a moment of silence will be observed.
   
   
3. The student’s primary class will be gathered. Present will be the class team (middle school), the primary teacher (middle school), and other resource personnel, as it is essential that students are given the opportunity to ask questions and talk about the death. Arrangements can be made during this meeting regarding attendance at the funeral, collecting funds for flowers or a wreath, and identifying who will contact the bereaved family. Staff members will be present with the class throughout the day.
4. All students at the school are encouraged to contact the school psychologist and SUS. This offer is emphasized to the deceased’s grade level and students from the same dormitory, highlighting the availability of individual counseling sessions and SUS support. The leadership team, in consultation with staff teams and boarding school teachers, will evaluate the need for crisis counseling or grief therapy for other students. In the middle school, there will be a greater emphasis on dialogue with parents before initiating actions, considering the student’s age.
   
   
5. The homes of all students in the deceased student’s primary class will be contacted to ensure no student returns home to an empty house.
   
   
6. It is respected that everyone grieves differently, and no student will be pressured into specific behaviors or rituals. However, the incident should be acknowledged in the class. The team should address the death so that students do not feel the school has forgotten their classmate.
   
   
7. Attention should also be given to students in other groups or classes who may have had relationships with the deceased. It is important that the principal or school counselor speaks with these students and assesses whether professional crisis counseling by a psychologist is necessary.
   
   
8. In other classes, the staff team will address the incident, though other teachers may also bring it up when appropriate. Special attention should be given to friends of the deceased.
   
   
9. The principal will contact the parents of the deceased student to inform them about the school’s actions regarding the death. Discussions with the family will determine what additional steps, if any, should be taken.
   
   
10. Deviations from the aforementioned measures will always be evaluated based on the students’ age and specific situations, as the school must account for varying life circumstances, including age, living conditions, etc.
    
    
11. The flag will be flown at half-mast.

The Funeral

1. Students and staff are permitted to attend the funeral, provided it is announced and the family approves.
   
   
2. The school will send flowers to the funeral.
   
   
3. The flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of the funeral, and participating students and staff will be excused from classes as deemed necessary.
   
   

Follow-Up

1. Teachers must remain attentive to students’ behavior even long after the incident. They should engage with affected students or refer them to the school psychologist, SUS, or other relevant professionals if necessary.
   
2. The class team will arrange follow-up discussions with the class. The class may be given opportunities to write condolence letters to the deceased’s family or process the event in other ways.
   
   
3. Efter 1-2 måneder vurderer ledelsen i samråd med teamet behovet for yderligere opfølgning på, hvordan klassen har håndteret situationen. 
   
   
4. Deviations from the above measures will always be evaluated based on the students’ age and circumstances, considering the wide range of life situations, including age, living arrangements, etc.

If a Staff Member Passes Away

Immediate Actions

1. Staff members will be informed via email, typically followed by a meeting in the staff room for teachers. Other groups of staff will gather as appropriate within their natural circles. Staff members close to the deceased will be informed personally or by phone whenever possible. The cause of death and circumstances surrounding the incident will be clarified if the bereaved family consents and if it is deemed appropriate. Staff should have the opportunity to talk and process the event.
   
   
2. The principal, CEO, and union/occupational representatives will evaluate whether professional help, such as counseling, is necessary for staff or individual employees. All employees may contact SUS at any time. Union and occupational representatives will provide information about additional support available through relevant collective agreements or professional organizations.
   
   
3. If the deceased was someone students had a particular connection with, students will be informed at morning assembly, where a moment of silence will be held. In general, the principal and director will decide how and to what extent parents and students will be informed.
   
   
4. If a teacher passes away, the leadership team will meet with the teacher’s classes and determine to what extent the students need to process the event and whether referrals to SUS and the school psychologist are necessary. Specific contact with the students’ homes will also be considered.
   
   
5. The leadership team will send a letter or call the deceased staff member’s family to inform them of the school’s actions regarding the death.
   
   
6. The school flag will be flown at half-mast.

The Funeral

1. Staff and students are allowed to attend the funeral, provided it is announced and the family agrees.
   
2. The school will send flowers to the funeral.
   
   
3. The flag will be flown at half-mast.

Follow-Up

1. The principal, CEO, and occupational representatives are responsible for monitoring staff reactions, conducting follow-up conversations, and referring individuals to psychologists when necessary.
   
   
2. They are also responsible for organizing follow-up actions (e.g., a memorial ceremony) and holding subsequent discussions.
   
   
3. Deviations from the above measures will always be evaluated based on the specific circumstances of students and staff, considering the wide range of life situations, including age and living arrangements.

Incidents Requiring Special or Additional Efftors

In the case of a suicide attempt, death by suicide, death resulting from a crime, or situations where multiple students or staff are lost simultaneously due to traffic accidents or other major incidents, Herlufsholm’s response must be intensified.

In such cases, it is crucial to establish a trusting, respectful, and effective collaboration between the school, affected families, authorities, and other relevant parties (e.g., police, emergency services, hospitals, and churches). The principal and director hold ultimate responsibility in these situations.

For extreme events, no formal procedure can account for every possible scenario. Leadership will make decisions on necessary measures in each individual case.