Coronavirus – services, events and information

Child Bereavement UK recognises its duty of care to all those who use our bereavement services, attend our training and fundraising events, visit our premises, fundraise, volunteer or work for the charity.

Bereavement support

We have been following government advice relating to COVID-19 and have taken action to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Many of our staff are working remotely and we are continuing to offer free, confidential bereavement support by telephone, video or instant messenger. We are offering face-to-face support in limited locations with COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Please find below the latest information and guidance with regard to our services and events.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update this page to reflect any changes in government guidance and in our response. We apologise for any inconvenience that any changes to our services or activities may cause but trust that you understand that the safety and wellbeing of those who use or support our services is paramount.

Please contact us to find out what support is right for you/your family.

Helpline for families and professionals

We are here to respond to your call, Live Chat or email from 9 am - 5 pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).

We provide:

Confidential listening
Support, guidance and information
Details about the support Child Bereavement UK can offer
Signposting to other organisations that can also offer support

Helpline 0800 02 888 40

Live Chat via this website

Email [email protected]

For resources to help support children during the coronavirus outbreak, view our guidance films and Information Sheet here.

Training events

Click here for our programme of webinars.

If you have any additional queries please email: [email protected]

Fundraising events

If you have booked to attend a ticketed event and this is postponed or cancelled, we will contact you directly. If you are planning your own fundraising event in aid of Child Bereavement UK, please follow government guidance. Please check our Get involved section for up to date event information.

If you have any additional queries please email: [email protected]

Other useful links

National Bereavement Alliance

Childhood Bereavement Network

At a Loss (UK bereavement signposting website with information and support services).

The Good Grief Trust

Support After Suicide Partnership

Government guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing

Updated: 7 Dec 2021

Latest

Bereavement Support Practitioner (Maternity Cover)

We are looking to recruit a Part-time Bereavement Support Practitioner (Maternity Cover).
Volcano

Watch our short animated film which helps children to cope with difficult feelings like anger, worry and guilt so that emotions don’t build up and erupt - like a volcano.
"It’s emotionally and physically exhausting. Nothing compares to that grief tiredness."

Dan explains how his wife's traumatic death affected his physical health.
"Keeping body and mind in harmony works for me"

How keeping mind and body in harmony helped Efrem cope after his son died aged 22.

Holding a funeral or ceremony when you cannot meet – ideas for families

Ideas for holding a funeral, or other ceremony, at times when it is not possible to meet.
Coronavirus - Supporting children through difficult times

Ways to support children who are worried about frightening events, such as the pandemic.
When you can't visit someone who is ill

Ways to support children when restrictions mean you cannot visit someone who is ill.
Coronavirus – supporting pupils

Information for education professionals supporting pupils during the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic
Coronavirus – supporting bereaved children

Ways to support bereaved children who may be worried about the pandemic.

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.
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.
When a grandparent dies - the impact on children and young people

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.
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.
Grief and bereavement in Gypsy and Traveller families

Death and bereavement are experiences common to most of us and few of us go through life without experiencing the death of someone close. Each situation is unique and how we respond to such a death is very individual.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Babies and young children have no understanding of the concept of death yet, long before they are able to talk, babies are likely to react to upset and changes in their environment brought about by the absence of a significant person.
Child Bereavement UK training

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

Contact one of the Child Bereavement UK centres or get in touch with one of our departments.
Explaining funerals, burial and cremation to children

The following are suggestions to give you the confidence to talk about funerals in a way that feels right for you and your children.
Books and 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.