Families' Experiences

When someone is not expected to live

Josephine was 12 years old when her dad died of cancer. Together with mum Kathryn, they share with us their experience. Read more

Support for families

This film features children and their families who have attended Child Bereavement UK's Family Support Group in East London. We are very grateful to City Bridge Trust (a funder of our bereavement service in Newham) for enabling us to make the film at no cost to the charity through their filmmaking scheme Telling Your Stories, in partnership with Media Trust. Read more

When a baby is stillborn

"Once you start to talk about things it's like the burden is being lifted." Ben and Marina Fogle share their experience of when their son, Willem, was stillborn. Read more

Parenting bereaved children

Parents talk about some of the issues they faced when looking after bereaved children, whilst grieving themselves, and what helped them. Read more

A guide to supporting someone who is bereaved

A guide to supporting someone who is bereaved includes families supported by Child Bereavement UK alongside bereaved celebrities including Mary Berry, Rio Ferdinand, Ben and Marina Fogle, Joey Essex, and Jason Watkins, sharing their 'dos and don'ts' and practical tips around how to about support someone who is bereaved. Read more

When someone dies through suicide

Melissa and Katherine and their families were supported by Child Bereavement UK after being bereaved by suicide. This short film was released to raise awareness of World Suicide Prevention Day. If you have a child who has been bereaved by suicide and would like to seek support, please call our helpline on 08000288840. Read more

When a twin baby has died

"I can wear the identity of being a bereaved parent rather than hide it." Vicky and John share their experience of when their twin baby, Cecilia, was stillborn. Read more

Why support is needed

Bereaved families we have supported talk about what helped them after the death of someone important in their life. Read more

When a parent has died

Young people we have supported talk about some of the difficulties they faced and what helped them after the death of their mum or dad. Read more

Impact Film 2018-19

Last year we provided bereavement support to more children, young people, parents and families than ever before and we trained more professionals to provide the best possible care. Read more

Supporting bereaved children and young people

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

Telling a child that someone has died

It is important to tell a child of any age when someone important in their lives has died, and ideally this is done by someone who is closest to them.

Genevieve

Supporting a bereaved pupil

This comprehensive, free-to-access resource , Supporting a bereaved pupil has been developed by Child Bereavement UK in collaboration with the London Grid for Learning.

What we offer

Child Bereavement UK provides a wide range of training, consultancy and support services to help professionals help bereaved children and families

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.

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.

UK death & bereavement statistics

A parent of children under 18 dies every 22 minutes in the UK; around 23,600 a year. This equates to around 111 children being bereaved of a parent every day.

Resources for children and young people

This list includes books and resources for bereaved children and young people, including those with special educational or additional needs.

Coronavirus – supporting bereaved children

Frightening events widely reported in the media, such as the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, can cause children to worry about themselves and others.