The death of a child is a traumatic experience that not only affects the family to which it has happened, but also everyone around who cares about the family—including you. You’ve seen the pain and now you want to help in some way that goes beyond dropping off a casserole and baked beans.

TCF’s brochure How Can I Help . . . When a Child Dies will give you a good starting point on what you can do—both now and in the future.

Understanding Grief . . . When Your Child Dies is another TCF brochure that provides some insight into what the parents feel.

If you are an employer, there is much you can do to let your grieving employee know that you care and want to help. Here are two brochures that will help you to understand how you and fellow employees can help:

When an Employee is Grieving the Death of a Child
When a Coworker is Grieving the Death of a Child

If you are a professional who is dealing with, or wishes to know more about families that have experienced the death of a child, here are links you may find helpful:

Suggestions for Psychologists, Counselors and Therapists
Suggestions for Medical Personnel
When a Law Officer Responds to the Death of a Child
Suggestions for Clergy
Suggestions for Funeral Directors
Suggestions for First Responders . . .Dealing with the Sudden Death of a Child
Suggestions for Teachers and School Counselors

No matter what your relation is to the grieving family, The Compassionate Friends can help. Suggest that the family contact TCF’s National Office at 877-969-0010. We’ll be happy to put together a customized packet of materials specifically chosen to apply to the situation at hand. We’ll also be glad to provide contact information to the nearest TCF chapter, one where the parents, adult siblings, and grandparents can all gather with others who understand, because they, too, are mourning the death of a child.

Thank you for caring enough for those left behind after the death of a child to visit The Compassionate Friends national website seeking to learn how you can provide support.