Paediatric Palliative Care Resource

No parent expects to outlive their child. It is the news that every parent dreads - news that feels horrible, unnatural, unfair and unbearable.

Having to contemplate caring for you sick child, yourself and your family, and to face a future without your child in it, can feel terrifying and completely overwhelming and there can be a lot of information to take in. 

After the Loss of a Child: A Resource for Parents of Children in Palliative Care has been developed in order to help parents through this difficult time. It is designed for parents of children in palliative care, but is also a useful resource for any parent who experiences the loss of a child. After the Loss of a Child looks at common issues and processes occurring both before and after the death, and provides information and helpful tips for navigating the grief experience of parents and families both immediately and in the long term.

The resource is divided into sections, so that it can be easily referenced as needed. It has been written as a support guide, but is in no way intended to replace seeking advice from professionals. 
  
Topics include:

• Before the death
• After the death
• About grief
• Grief and relationships
• Parenting after the loss of a child
• Grief over time
• Self-care
• Seeking help

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement would like to thank everyone who has been involved in putting this resource together. In particular, Alison Boughey Consultancy; the Paediatric Palliative Care Steering Committee; the clinicians and bereaved individuals who reviewed the resource and provided their feedback; and the Victorian Government Department of Health who provided funding and support for this important project.

Download After the Loss of a Child