When a sibling has died

	A Star for Bobby Helen Keenor A Star for Bobby talks directly to young children, using language and illustrations they can understand, about the death of a brother or sister, explaining why sometimes these things happen and how this may be making them feel. When the author’s baby son died shortly after birth, she wanted to explain to her two-year-old daughter what had happened in a way a little child could understand. Buy from Sands
	Always my Twin Valerie R. Samuels Always My Twin is for young children who have experienced the death of their twin sibling before birth, after birth or as a young child. The book tells the story through the eyes of a young girl whose twin sister dies shortly after birth. She begins her story with sharing the womb with her twin, the joy of her family anticipating the arrival of twins, the family’s pain of losing one of their precious babies, the funeral, and her own expressions of grief for her twin’s death. It also talks about ways she and her family remember her twin. Buy from Amazon
	Andrew’s Rainbow A book for children born into a family after the death of a sibling. Available from the Scottish Cot Death Trust
	Benny's Hat Juliet Clare Bell Benny’s Hat deals quietly with the huge subject of a sibling dying, from the viewpoint of the sister. It shows how children and young people might deal with serious illness and death differently to adults. The story gives adult readers examples of how to support children when a sibling is not expected to live, not only from the section for parents at the back, but also by watching Friz’s parents’ reactions to her behaviour. Buy from Amazon
	I Miss My Sister Sarah Courtauld Illustrated by Holly Surplice, this book is recommended for children aged 4-10 years old. The beautiful and expressive colour illustrations help to guide the child through the different emotions they may encounter following the death of a sibling, as well as the different categories of grief over a period of time. Awarded 'commended' in BMA Patient Information Awards 2010. Buy from Child Bereavement UK
	My Baby Big Sister: A Book for Children Born Subsequent to a Pregnancy Loss Cathy Blanford My Baby Big Sister was written for children who were born subsequent to a pregnancy loss or infant death. This book aims to help with the confusion these children often experience when they learn about the baby who died before them. This book does have some religious overtones at the start. Buy from Amazon
	My brother has died Dr Jennifer Kelly If your child has sadly had to face the death of their brother, then this booklet is designed to help you talk with your child about what has happened. It offers support in a simple that can help children as they adjust to life without their sibling. It can also be used as a basis to encourage discussion and to raise any questions they may have. It may also help them to voice their feelings. Free to download from Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
	My sister has died Dr Jennifer Kelly If your child has sadly had to face the death of their sister, then this booklet is designed to help you talk with your child about what has happened. It offers support in a simple that can help children as they adjust to life without their sibling. It can also be used as a basis to encourage discussion and to raise any questions they may have. It may also help them to voice their feelings. Free to download from Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
	Remembering Dianne Leutner, Joan Gorman and Daniel Postgate. Part book, part scrapbook Remembering was created to help keep a child’s memories alive after the loss of someone special and to give children a place to return to whenever they wish. Buy from Child Bereavement UK
	Remembering My Brother Ginny Perkins and Leon Morris In 1993, Chris Reed died. The author of this book worked with his family to put this book together which aims to show the importance of talking about grief and loss and remembering with love someone important who has died. It relates ordinary family events alongside an account of the family’s visit to Chris’s grave. Buy from Amazon
	Rory’s Star Lynda Bathgate This book has been written to help parents explain the death of their baby or child to their siblings. Available from the Scottish Cot Death Trust
	Stewart's Tree - A Book for Brothers and Sisters When a Baby Dies Shortly after Birth Cathy Campbell Ellen’s new baby brother Stewart has been “lost”. Ellen looks in all the cupboards for Stewart, and even in the washing machine – but then her family help her understand that Stewart has died and isn’t going to come back. Together they plant a tree for Stewart, so they will always have a place to remember him. This book for children aged 3+ helps explain sibling loss shortly after birth, and provides guidance for adults written by qualified clinicians. Buy from Amazon
	When someone special dies - for under 7s Child Bereavement UK This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families. Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK
	When someone special dies - for ages 7 to 11 Child Bereavement UK This leaflet has been prepared with the help of bereaved families. It aims to help children when they have been bereaved. Also essential for A&E, Intensive care units and professionals who support families. Download for free or buy from Child Bereavement UK
	Where are you Lydie? Emma Poore Warm and beautifully illustrated picture book for children about sibling loss and bereavement to support families through the grief of baby loss. Buy from Emma Poore

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Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.
Grieving for a child of any age

The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild.
When a grandparent dies

The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent.
Child Bereavement UK training

Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Contact us

Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.
When your baby dies

When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
UK death & bereavement statistics

A parent of children under 18 dies every 20 minutes in the UK; around 26,900 a year.
For adults bereaved as children

How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.