This study seeks to give a cross-cultural presentation of the churchs role in supporting people who are bereaved. It takes place within a specific church context in Norway and Kenya respectively. The study examines cultural variations in grieving, main sources of support, the role of the church in supporting the bereaved, and finally the diaconal justification of this support given by the church.

Anna Spilling graduated from MF Norwegian School of Theology in 2011 with a master's degree in diakonia, (Christian social practice). One semester of the study she was an exchange student at St. Paul's University, Kenya.