Brain death: the family in crisis.

Brain death has created a new class of dead people that does not conform to society's expectations of normal death and dying. Brain death also causes intense emotions and great stress for the family and friends of the person concerned. Nurses play a major role in helping the family through this distressing time by maintaining high standards of nursing care. Major components of this care include effective communication and caring that supports the family. While these families have a variety of special needs, it is the nurses' constant bedside presence that provides many opportunities to have a positive influence on family members' ability to cope with the tragedy and begin the healing process.