Bereavement Services for Families Experiencing Loss

RFR Release Date: March 2nd, 2026

Deadline for Submission of RFR Q&A: March 20th, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Responses (BID Opening Date): April 10th, 2027

Anticipated Contract Start Date: July 1st, 2027

The government authority in Boston, Massachusetts is seeking a vendor to provide comprehensive bereavement services for families experiencing the loss of a child under the age of 18, a stillbirth, or fetal loss. These services are expected to help families cope with grief, connect them to resources, and foster resilience among parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers. The approach should be culturally and linguistically responsive, trauma‑informed, and able to offer support through multiple modalities, including in-person, home-based, and virtual sessions.

Vendors should demonstrate the ability to provide crisis intervention, performing brief safety screenings and escalating or coordinating care when necessary. Timely referrals must be managed through established relationships with hospitals, schools, and other institutions, with follow-up to bereaved families within 24–72 hours. Licensed behavioral health providers are expected to deliver trauma-informed clinical services, such as individual and family counseling, as well as long-term therapeutic care.

The program should also develop and maintain educational materials to guide families through grief and associated systems, outlining the available assistance and relevant support services. Additionally, support with planning memorial services aligned with families’ religious, cultural, and linguistic needs should be offered, including assistance for regular memorial events if desired.