I've been bereaved of a child

No parent ever wants to imagine a world without their child. The loss of a child is a devastation beyond words, a grief that shatters not only the present, but the hopes, dreams and potential of a future that can never be fulfilled.

Child Bereavement UK provides support for parents when a baby or child dies or is expected to die before their 26th birthday. We’re here to help you to find your own way forward – a way for you to live with your grief. It’s never about ‘moving on’. It’s about finding a way forward that keeps you connected to the child or children who’ve died.

If you'd like to speak to someone about your grief, our team of bereavement specialists are available to speak with right away, no need to book an appointment or join a wait list. You're welcome to reach our as much as you need. Support is available between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). Click the 'chat with us' button, text 07418 341 800, call 0800 02 888 40, email [email protected] or use our contact form.

If you're not quite ready to connect immediately with a bereavement specialist, or you're unsure which service is right for you, click the button below and fill in the form.

I am a bereaved parent looking for support

Our bereavement team will review your form and guide you towards support that best suits your unique needs. Someone will be in touch within 10 working days to talk about the next steps. 

Grieving for a child

No parent expects to face the death of their child. See our resource for support and guidance on grieving for a child. Read more

Looking after yourself when someone has died

Ways to look after your health and wellbeing when someone important to you has died. Read more

When your child dies suddenly

A sudden death can bring additional layers of shock, distress, devastation and disbelief to a bereavement. Read more

Lived Experience Ambassadors

If you're a parent bereaved of a baby or child who died before their 26th birthday, and willing to share your experience to help improve and shape support for others, you can apply to be a Lived Experience Ambassador. Read more

How we can support you

Child Bereavement UK helps children and young people (up to the age of 25), parents and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Read more

Read about others' experiences

Read about the experiences of bereaved families and how support has helped them. Read more

Latest

What helps you when someone is unkind or jokes - Junior Youth Ambassadors
How can I support a child or young person when someone important to them has a serious illness?

Bereavement specialists share ways to support a child or young person when someone important to them has a serious illness.
What I wish my friends knew about grief - Junior Youth Ambassadors
Download our PSHE lessons on loss and bereavement

Download our free PSHE lessons and resources for schools on loss and bereavement for Key Stages 1-4. These have been developed by teachers and bereavement support workers.

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.
Explaining to a child that someone has died

Guidance on explaining to a child that someone has died.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
Grieving for a child

No parent expects to face the death of their child. See our resource for support and guidance on grieving for a child.
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.
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.
Adults bereaved as children

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

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