Supporting families pre-bereavement

Supporting children when someone is dying

Generally parents or main carers are the best people to talk about sad news with their children. Read more

When someone is not expected to live

When a parent, main carer, brother or sister or other special person is not expected to live, the prospect of communicating this to a child can be daunting, especially when you are upset or in shock yourself. Read more

Latest

When someone special dies | Leaflets

The information in this series of leaflets is designed to help young people to understand their feelings after a bereavement.
“Tell as many or as few people as you want...do what makes sense for you’’

Francesca was supported by Child Bereavement UK after her father died when she was 17. She shares her experience of starting university as a bereaved young person and telling people that she's bereaved.
Run with us at the Great North Run 2025

Take part in the biggest half marathon in the world and raise funds for Child Bereavement UK.
Philanthropy Officer (full time)

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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.
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.
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.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
Explaining to a child that someone has died

Guidance on explaining to a child that someone has died.
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.
For adults bereaved as children

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

Short guidance films

Short films delivered by our support practitioners giving guidance on a range of bereavement topics. Read more

Books and resources

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

Others' experiences

Watch short films and read experiences of bereaved families and how support has helped them. Read more