The International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement was founded in 1974 and consists of an international group of clinicians, scholars, and researchers in this field. At a recent meeting in London, the above members of the group crystallized the following working document, which has evolved over a 3-year period with input from representatives of the following developing countries: Bangladesh, Chile, China, Columbia, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. This working document may be of value not only to governments and health care system planners, but also to the public, who will be the providers and receivers of health care. It can be used as a basis for developing both educational services and health care delivery systems.