When parents experience the loss of a child whether by miscarriage, stillbirth, early perinatal loss, or removal of a child from their custody, they begin the long process of bereavement. At first, the experience can produce a myriad of feelings: shock, numbness, denial, and disbelief. Other emotions begin to emerge such as guilt, anger, loneliness, despair, sadness and regret. The loss of a child affects siblings, family, healthcare providers and community.
A bereavement program offers support for parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, community, and healthcare staff, which often begins before death and continues well beyond discharge. Bereavement support includes counseling, spiritual care, supportive presence, silence and active listening, as well as validation and reassurance. This involves assisting with the difficult end-of-life decisions including: goal setting; pain and symptom management; disposition of the body; identifying support systems and community resources; legacy building and memory making.