Unexpected Death of a Child

Here are organisations, resources and information to help support you following the unexpected death of a child. For information relating to baby loss, click here.

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

We offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people, and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK.

We provide training to professionals in health and social care, education, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

Groups for parents – facilitated groups for bereaved parents and carers to meet in a supportive environment

Phone: 0800 02 888 40

Email: [email protected]

The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child or children from a month old and from any cause.

Phone: 0345 123 2304

Email: [email protected]

St Helena bereavement support

We offer bereavement support to all those who have been bereaved in north and mid Essex, regardless of the cause of death or when or where the individual has died. 

Our bereavement support includes one-to-one counselling and support, based on an assessment of your needs. We have an experienced team of specialist bereavement volunteers and counsellors able to provide this support. At present, one to one support is provided face to face or via telephone.

We offer bereavement support groups designed to provide support, information and coping strategies for people who are adjusting to living with grief. We also offer therapeutic counsellor-led groups for support after bereavement by suicide, stillbirth and neo-natal death, or the death of a child. Our groups are welcoming and run by experienced staff and volunteers.

Phone: 01206 984 274

Support After Murder and Manslaughter

SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Our services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved. We support close relatives, family members., friends etc.

Our unique support services have been designed by the bereaved for the bereaved. All volunteers receive bespoke training and have been bereaved through homicide themselves. They have a unique understanding of what it’s like to be traumatically bereaved.

We offer a bespoke combination of peer support, workshops and complementary therapies over 3 days. Designed for the bereaved by the bereaved, it takes place in the calm and serene setting of a beautiful retreat centre. It facilitates a bereaved person’s recovery journey at a pace that is right for them.

Our trained peer support volunteers provide one-to-one peer support by phone, they have a unique understanding of what it’s like to be traumatically bereaved. The support is completely confidential.  The support we offer comes with flexibility and is offered at a time that’s right for you. 

The Pop-up Cafes give people a chance to talk to others with similar challenges.  We understand the importance of bringing people together with similar influences to help with their grief journey. The groups take place in the evening and we have separate groups for men and women.

Phone: 0121 472 2912  Mobile: 07342 888570

Email: [email protected]