Bereavement Support
When a family faces the devastating loss of a child, we provide compassionate bereavement support through counselling, tailored information and signposting, webinars, and financial assistance.
Information and signposting
We can support you by signposting you to and even making a referral (with your permission) to other supports and services that may be of interest to you and your family at this difficult time.
Individual psychological support / counselling
We understand that the death of a child to cancer is an unimaginable loss that affects the entire family. We offer dedicated therapeutic support for parents and siblings who are grieving. Through tailored one-to-one (online) psychological support, we provide a safe, supportive space to help families navigate the overwhelming emotions of loss, which can include trauma, anxiety, and depression. For many, understanding how grief responses differ across family members can be helpful.
Our goal is to ensure that families have access to specialised, high-quality psychological care, tailored to their individual needs. Whether through online one-on-one sessions or referrals to experienced and trusted professionals in your local area, we are here to ensure that no family has to face their grief alone.
Play therapy / psychotherapy
We provide bereaved siblings with a safe and therapeutic environment to express their emotions and process the complex experiences associated with having a sibling with a cancer diagnosis and subsequently navigating their loss.
For children, play is a powerful tool for coping with stress, fear and anxiety, allowing them to navigate their emotions through play, creative expression, and age-appropriate therapeutic interventions.
For adolescents and young adults, the approach adapts to their developmental needs, offering therapeutic activities that encourage self-expression, emotional processing, and connection in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their age group.
Through our network of qualified and experienced play therapists and child and adolescent psychotherapists, we can connect you the right support in your community.
Recognising that not all children require direct therapeutic intervention, we also offer Parent Advice Sessions, which helps to guide you through effectively engaging with and supporting your children.
Informative webinars
We hold expert-led webinars on bereavement, looking at sibling grief and other aspects of grieving and bereavement that may be helpful.
Each webinar is led by professionals, ensuring that you have access to high-quality, evidence-based information. The webinars also offer interactive Q&A sessions, allowing families to receive personalised advice on how to navigate their unique circumstances.
Keep an eye on the events section of our website, our social media or subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on webinars.
Bereavement grant
Our bereavement grant offers financial support to families during this incredibly difficult time. This once-off payment provides immediate assistance following the loss of a child to cancer, helping families to feel supported and allowing them to focus on their emotional wellbeing without the added burden of financial stress.
- This is a one-off grant of €1,000
- It is not means tested
- You may also have received grants from other charities
Criteria:
- The child or young person died under the age of 24
- From a diagnosis of childhood cancer
- The child or young person died after 30th June 2024
- Lived permanently in Ireland
Application for this grant can be made by a parent or guardian of the child, adolescent or young person who has died or by a social worker or medical professional.
To apply for the bereavement grant, please complete the short form below as the first step.