Telling a child that their brother or sister is not expected to live

A short guidance film on telling a child that their brother or sister is not expected to live.

Latest

Books and resources

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help.
Pregnancy loss and the death of a baby: Supporting parents

Virtual training - 18 Nov
Children within the care system - the impact of loss, grief and bereavement

Webinar - 3 Nov
Grief and bereavement in schools

Virtual training - 12 Jan 2022

When your child is not expected to live

Guidance for families who are coping with the news that their child is not expected to live.
Stepparenting where a biological parent has died

Guidance on supporting bereaved stepchildren and creating a supportive family structure.
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 bereaved children

Ways to support bereaved children who may be worried about the pandemic.
For doctors: managing your wellbeing

Guidance for doctors on managing their wellbeing
Supporting your child when someone has died by suicide

Guidance on supporting a child when someone has died by suicide.
Viewing a body with a child

Ways to prepare a child who wishes to view the body of someone important to them who has died.
Should I be worried about my bereaved teenager

How teenagers may react to bereavement and ways to support them.

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.
Let’s Rock & Pennfest

Volunteer with Child Bereavement UK at Let’s Rock retro festival this summer and enjoy the event for free.
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.
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.
Contact us

Contact one of the Child Bereavement UK centres or get in touch with one of our departments.
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.
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.