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  1. Home
  2. When your child dies suddenly

When your child dies suddenly

A sudden death brings additional layers of shock, distress, devastation and disbelief to a bereavement. The reality of what has happened may be very difficult to accept and you may be desperately searching for meaning and understanding.

When a child dies suddenly and unexpectedly, you may have regrets over lost opportunities and sorrow about unfulfilled plans. With no chance to say goodbye, there can be a sense of unfinished business, and a need to go over what has happened.

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

Published: 1st July, 2025

Updated: 15th April, 2026

Author: Robin Ngai

When your child dies by suicide

When your child dies by suicide

The death of a child is one of the hardest things anyone will ever have to face. The death by suicide of a young person, with their life and potential ahead of them, is particularly impactful. Read more

Published: 10th August, 2022

Updated: 15th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

When someone may have died by suicide

When someone may have died by suicide

This information aims to give guidance when someone may have died by suicide. It covers what might happen in the first few days, ideas for what to tell people, and what might help to support you. Read more

Published: 22nd June, 2020

Updated: 26th May, 2026

Author: Harriet Hieatt-Smith

When a postmortem is suggested for your baby or child

Coping with the unfamiliar prospect of a postmortem can be overwhelming and distressing at what is already a very difficult time, It is likely you have many questions and concerns, and this resource seeks to answer some of these. Read more

Published: 1st December, 2017

Updated: 16th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

When the death of a baby or child is sudden and unexplained (SUDIC)

When the death of a baby or child is sudden and unexplained (SUDIC)

Sudden and Unexplained Death in Infancy or Childhood (SUDIC) is a term used when a baby or child dies suddenly and where there is no explanation for why they have died, often despite investigations. Read more

Published: 5th March, 2017

Updated: 16th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

When a coroner needs to be involved after someone has died

The Coroner is a specialist judge who is authorised to investigate certain kinds of deaths, for instance where the cause of death is unknown or is not clear. Read more

Published: 2nd April, 2016

Updated: 9th April, 2026

Author: Jenny Angliss

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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?

    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.

Most read

  • 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

    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

    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 us

    Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.

  • Adults bereaved as children

    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 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.

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Child Bereavement UK death by suicide Death of a baby Death of a parent Explaining death to children films Nursery teacher parenting a bereaved child returning to school Same Sex Couple short film short films short guidance films Stillbirth Young People's Advisory Group YPAG
Books and resources

Books and resources

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help. Read more

Published: 21st October, 2021

Updated: 19th May, 2026

Author: Harriet Hieatt-Smith

Others' stories

Others' stories

Find out more about the experiences of bereaved families we have supported and professionals we have supported and trained. Read more

Published: 30th November, 2021

Updated: 7th April, 2025

Author: Emma Van Allan

Understanding grief

Understanding grief

Most people who are bereaved experience grief, which involves feeling lots of different emotions in response to the death of the person. Read more

Published: 7th April, 2025

Author: Kirsty Wood

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