Background and Aims: Communication is present in all encounters in stroke care and of importance to create a caring relation. A good relation between patients, next of kin and health care staff is crucial, not least in unexpected sudden death by stroke. The aim of the study was to illuminate communication and its meaning in unexpected sudden death by stroke, as experienced by next of kin and stroke team members. Method: The design is a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a project on unexpected sudden death by stroke. Material from four interview studies from the project with all in all twelve next of kin of patients who had died due to the acute stroke during hospital stay and twentyseven stroke team members from stroke units were utilized. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis reveals communication as the foundation for care and caring in acute stroke care. The overarching theme foundation for dignified encounters in care is built up by six themes illuminating the meaning of communication in unexpected sudden death by stroke. Conclusion: Communication and its meaning in unexpected sudden death by stroke as experienced by next of kin and stroke team members is one key to create dignified encounters in care when unexpected sudden death by stroke occurs. It gives ground for unanimity about care and possibility to maintain and uphold dignity in care when acknowledging the next of kin familiarity with the patient, giving ground for a person centeredness despite the patients sever illness.