Support for Parents Who Have Lost a Child

Understanding Grief

Bereavement encompasses the whole experience of losing someone you love, including the anticipation, death, and adjustment to living afterward. Grief is the natural human response of losing someone close to you. It is extremely complex and does not follow a specific timeline. Everyone grieves in their own way and at their own time. Grief is an individual process and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Common grief reactions can include:

• Shock
• Disbelief or denial
• Anxiety or distress
• Anger
• Periods of sadness
• Sleep problems
• Loss of appetite

It is normal to feel completely overwhelmed following the loss of a child. Grief is part of the healing process to find a way to live within a new normal.

The bereavement team at UH provides support for parents and families experiencing grief caused by:

• Miscarriage/pregnancy loss
• Stillbirth
• Death of an infant or child

Ways We Can Help

We understand the profound emotional impact loss of a child can have on a family. It can be helpful to have someone to talk to, whether that be a family member, significant other, friend, spiritual advisor, grief counselor, mental health services or support groups.

Our team takes a patient- and family-centered approach to grief support. We provide personalized resources and recommendations for every family, because grief is a very personal experience and should be tailored to your unique needs. We stay connected with families, continuing to provide services and support as needed in the weeks, months and years following a loss.