Undergraduate thesis.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, affecting individuals across all age groups and inflicting profound emotional, psychological, and financial burdens on families. In the Philippines, access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial support remains limited, particularly for families navigating the end-of-life journey and subsequent bereavement of a loved one. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of parents who have lost a child to cancer, focusing on their emotional responses, coping strategies, and the cultural framework that shape their grieving process. Using a phenomenological research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven purposively selected bereaved parents. Thematic analysis revealed that grief was deep, enduring, and complex, characterized by sorrow, helplessness, guilt, anger, and psychological distress. Participants describe witnessing their child{92}s physical decline, navigating medical interventions, financial exhaustion, and ultimately confronting death. Despite these hardships, many turned to expressive coping strategies such as crying, prayer, spiritual rituals, and reliance on family and community for emotional strength. Cultural and religious practices emerged as central to grief navigation, providing structure and meaning during and after loss. However, a lack of accurate cancer-related information and inadequate psychosocial support exacerbated the emotional toll for many. The findings highlight the importance of disseminating reliable knowledge about cancer symptoms, treatment options, and palliative care, paired with culturally sensitive grief intervention such as counseling, peer support, and community-based programs. This study calls for an integrated care approach that not only addresses medical needs but also the long term psychological and emotional well-being of families. Enhancing public awareness and support systems can aid bereaved parents in processing their grief, fostering resilience, and reconstructing meaning in their lives while honoring their loved one{92}s memory.