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.

Latest

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
Bereavement awareness training for schools - Secondary

Webinar - 18 Jan 2022
Bereavement awareness training for schools - Primary

Webinar - 13 Jan 2022

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.
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.
When a baby is stillborn

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

Parents talk about some of the issues they faced when looking after bereaved children, whilst grieving themselves, and what helped them.
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, Marina and Ben Fogle, Joey Essex, and Jason Watkins, sharing their 'dos and don'ts' and practical tips around how to about support someone who is bereaved.
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.
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.
Why support is needed

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

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.
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.
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.