Emotional Support After the Death of a Child
Help a bereaved
family with
Emotional Support
Compassionate support through grief.
Explore emotional support for parents, siblings and family members. Support can be needed at different times and does not follow a fixed timetable so the support we provide is also flexible.
Choose the offer that best meets the family’s needs
You can refer for one or more appropriate forms of support.
Each request is considered individually and is subject to eligibility, availability and charitable funds.
Comfort Boxes
A carefully prepared collection of comfort and self-care items for someone grieving the death of a child.
When to refer
Immediately after the death of a child.
Christmas or other holidays.
Significant anniversaries or birthdays for families.
Eligibility & availability
Families can receive up to 2 boxes per year.
Boxes can be provided immediately following the death and for any number of years after.
Information to prepare
Recipient, relationship, preferences, allergies or sensitivities and safe delivery address.
Bereavement Therapy
Free specialist therapeutic support for bereaved parents for as long as it is needed.
When to refer
When a parent wants therapy and other suitable provision is unavailable, exhausted or inaccessible.
Eligibility & availability
We can only provide therapy to bereaved parents at this time. This can be for individuals, as a couple or as a family unit.
We cannot provide therapy to bereaved siblings.
We ask that the family has a health or social care professional involved in their care whilst accessing therapy from us - this can be a GP if other services have discharged them.
Information to prepare
Consent, readiness, previous support, current risks, accessibility needs and hoped-for outcomes.
We ask that you complete an initial outcome measure with the family so we have a baseline for how they are managing before they begin therapy.
Support Stories for Bereaved Siblings
The Memory Tree and The River of Remembering, Ripples soft toy cat and companion activities help children explore grief, memories and their continuing bond with a sibling.
When to refer
When a bereaved sibling may benefit from a gentle story and creative activity shared without pressure.
Eligibility & availability
Any bereaved siblings are eligible to receive one or both stories and accompanying resources.
The resources are aimed at primary age children but can be used by children of any age.
Information to prepare
Age, communication needs, relationship with their sibling and relevant themes.
Making It Possible
Small, personalised emotional support for a specific need not fully met by another Ripples service, statutory provision or another charity.
When to refer
Where an individual item, resource or contribution could remove a barrier or make family life more manageable and they can’t access this anywhere else.
Eligibility & availability
Any bereaved parents or siblings are eligible.
We have to pay for the item or service directly and are unable to give any money directly to families.
We typically fund up to £100 for families. If support costs more than this we need confirmation the full balance can be paid.
Information to prepare
The need, difference it would make, costs, invoice with bank details for payment, alternatives explored and why other funding is unavailable.
How to refer
Help make something important possible
Send a little helping hand
A donation of £25 can help provide personalised practical or emotional support for a child or family.