Loss of a Child

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Losing your child, at any age, is one of the most profound and heart-wrenching experiences you’ll ever endure. It brings immense sorrow, a sense of injustice, and a struggle to make sense of your loss. Life may seem unbearable, but we can help you find a way forward.

How you grieve the loss of your child is deeply personal. It is lifelong and will come in waves as you face different challenges and milestones. That’s okay.

We have enlisted the help of those who understand child loss and its impact. Anam Cara supports bereaved parents with compassion after a beloved child has died - at any stage, or in any circumstance. Bereaved parents founded this organisation to support themselves and all grieving parents navigate loss and life ahead. The charity now has 14 group meetings around the country offering group support, events and online resources.  

Please be gentle with yourself. Try these steps to help you along the way:

Allow yourself to grieve: There is no right way to grieve. It’s okay to feel a range of emotions; anger, sadness, guilt, or even numbness.

Seek support: Talking to loved ones, joining a support group, finding support in a grief counsellor or therapist can provide a safe space to process complex emotions and offer tools to cope.

Honour their memory: Keeping your child’s memory alive really helps through rituals, photographs, playing music that reminds you of them, or going to a special favourite place you shared can be healing and help you feel close to them.

Take care of yourself: Grief is physically and emotionally draining. Looking after yourself, even in small ways, is essential to help you get through a moment, an hour or a day at a time. Fresh air, water, sleep and nourishment all help.

Impact on families and relationships: The loss of a child can strain relationships. Everyone processes grief differently. Open communication where possible, patience with yourself and others, kindness and understanding really help.

It’s important to remember there is no timeline for grief. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness - it is survival.

We would love you to join our community, in the comfort we will treat your grief with the utmost kindness and care. You are safe here. Even if you don’t feel ready, please know that when you are - we are here.

You can follow us on Instagram @good.grief.ie, join us on a hike, come to one of our events or simply email us hello@goodgrief.ie or info@anamcara.ie  We’ve got you.

Some helpful links below:

https://anamcara.ie/

https://hospicefoundation.ie/i-need-help/i-am-bereaved/losing-a-child/

https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/bereavement/

https://www.barnardos.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/helping-children-understand-death.pdf

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/death/bereavement-counselling-and-support/bereavement-counselling-andsupport-services/