Paediatric Palliative Care aims to build awareness and expertise in further enriching the lives of children in palliative care. They recently developed the Paediatric Palliative Care National Action Plan.
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Advice and information on counselling and support group services.
1800 642 066
Bears of Hope
Provides guidance for families experiencing the loss of a baby.
1300 11 HOPE
Carer Help
Learning modules, information sheets and tools to support bereaved carers.
(08) 7221 8233
Forever Held Foundation
Short-stay retreat accommodation at no cost for parents grieving the loss of a child.
Good Grief
Information and training programs to assist with the grieving process.
1300 379 569
Griefline
Bereavement counselling accessible via phone or online services.
1300 845 745
Grieflink
A collection of information relevant to grieving communities.
1300 845 745
My Grief Assist
Factsheets, videos and other informational tools for those experiencing grief
National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG)
A wide range of information including advice for finding support.
(02) 6882 9222
Red Nose
Offer 24 hour support line and referrals to bereavement counsellors among other supports.
1300 308 307
SANDS
Miscarriage, still birth and new born death support. Includes a list of events, filtered by state.
The Compassionate Friends Australia
State-specific resources and a 24-hour national grief helpline.
1300 064 068
The KEUNE Foundation
Financial assistance for families with children who have a life threatening illness.
The MacKillop Institute
Provides access to a variety of resources including Seasons for Growth (a program for children impacted by loss)
The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
Videos discussing grief prepared by the department of pain medicine and palliative care.
TLC For Kids
Practical and emotional support for sick children both in and out of the hospital.
1300 361 461
Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Grief and Loss Network
Educational resources and articles to assist children experiencing grief.
(02) 5124 8726
Feel the Magic
An organisation that helps children heal through a program known as Camp Magic.
1300 602 465
Lionheart Camp for Kids
Provides supportive programs to help kids navigate the grieving process.
0481 199 758
Reach Out
Online tools, tips and professional help for young people under 25 years.
The National Centre for Childhood Grief
A broad range of information and support for children aged between 3-18.
1300 654 556
The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network
A list of books and online resources to support children with grief (ages 3-12).
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ACT Government – Bereavement Care
Web page of bereavement care, including a link to bereavement resources in Canberra.
Canberra Grief Centre
A range of services specific to the loss of a loved one and associated trauma.
0409 966 515
Capital Counselling and Coaching Services
Grief counselling in Canberra by a registered psychologist.
Grief and Bereavement Services in Canberra and Queanbeyan
A list of services compiled by Calvary Community Care and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce.
The Compassionate Friends ACT & Queanbeyan
The website for TCF in Canberra and Queanbeyan, including contact details and events.
NEW SOUTH WALES
Bear Cottage (Footprints in the sand bereavement service).
Hosts events and provides resources to support families after losing a child.
(02) 9976 8300
NSW Bereavement Counselling Services Directory
A list of counselling services produced by the Network of NSW Bereavement Co-ordinators.
NSW Paediatric Palliative Care Program
Bereavement page for patients, families and health professionals who care for a child with a life limiting illness.
Service NSW Death and Bereavement Guide
An overview of practical steps to take and useful legal information after someone has passed away.
The Compassionate Friends NSW
A list of TCF chapters in regional and metropolitan NSW.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Amber NT
Amber NT supports Territorians through the loss of a child, including miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or illness.
(08) 8948 5311
Happy Peeps Grief and Loss Counselling Darwin
Counselling service in Darwin and a range of regional areas.
1300 915 271
Relationships Australia – Northern Territory
Relationships Australia NT branch provides free counselling for families, children and youth.
1300 458 600
SIDS and Kids Northern Territory
Support to anyone who has experienced the loss of a child from conception to 18 years of age.
(08) 8948 5311
The Compassionate Friends Darwin Support Group
This support group is operated through TCF Victoria. You can
contact the group leader (Ingrid) via email: darwin@tcfv.org.au.
1300 064 068
QUEENSLAND
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
A comprehensive list of informational tools for anyone affected by loss.
1800 080 316
Hummingbird House
An interdisciplinary team providing care to families following the loss of a child.
(07) 3621 4364
Relationships Australia – Queensland
Relationships Australia QLD branch provides free counselling for families, children and youth.
1300 364 277
The Compassionate Friends Queensland
The website for TCF in Queensland, including contact details and events.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Anglicare SA (Loss and Grief Camps)
Runs free weekend camps for children between the ages of 5-12 and 13-17.
(08) 8305 9200
Carers SA
Provides free, short-term and in-person professional counselling to carers who are experiencing grief and loss.
1800 422 737
SA Government – When Someone Dies
Practical information for South Australians after someone dies.
SA Health – For the Bereaved
Information on practical support, self-care and a range of resources.
Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Online information suggesting what to do following the death of a child.
TASMANIA
Bereavement Care Network Tasmania
The Bereavement Care Network Tasmania website includes resources, stories and events. It connects bereavement care providers in Tasmania.
In-home and hospital-based support for families affected by life-limiting illness across Hobart and Southern Tasmania.
(03) 6231 9249
Specialist Palliative Care Services
A list of specialist and volunteer palliative care services in Tasmania, compiled by the Tasmanian Department of Health.
Tasmanian Government – Grief and Bereavement
General information on grief and bereavement and a number of contacts and resources for Tasmanians.
The Compassionate Friends Tasmania
Contact details for the Hobart TCF support group, run by TCF Victoria.
VICTORIA
Centre For Care and Wellbeing (CCW)
A support centre for grief and loss located in Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
(03) 8772 6111
Hope Bereavement Care
Support groups and counselling located in the Barwon South West region.
(03) 4215 3358
Mercy Health (Mercy Grief Services)
Professional counselling services for those located Western Metro Melbourne.
(03) 9265 2100
Wombat’s Wishes
Support for grieving children by providing programs such as weekend camps.
0499 966 228
Very Special Kids
Providing holistic palliative care for children and young people across Victoria.
0499 966 228
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Carers WA
Carers WA provide social support services and can guide bereaved families towards other useful resources.
1300 227 377
The Compassionate Friends WA
The website for TCF in WA, including contact details and events.
The Grief Centre of Western Australia
The Grief Centre of Western Australia provides Understanding, Support and Pathways to Wellbeing for people living with grief.
WA Government – Supporting you in your grief
A list of grief supports in WA, including for carers and bereaved parents.
WA Paediatric Palliative Care
The WA Paediatric Palliative Care Service offers holistic and compassionate care to children and their families who live in Western Australia with a life-limiting condition.
Bearing the Unbearable – Joanne Cacciatore
Beyond Words: Grieving When Your Child Has Died – Skylight, NZ
It’s Ok That You’re Not Ok – Megan Devine
The Essential Guide to Life After Bereavement: Beyond Tomorrow – Judy Carole Kauffmann & Mary Jordan
Also see below resource After the Loss of a Child for a list of recommended books (page 28).
In August 2022, Libby Roden – counsellor, family support practitioner and family therapist from Very Special Kids hosted our Meet the Expert session on grief, loss and bereavement. Here are some of the key takeaways from the session:
Libby has provided a resource on grieving self-care. A recording of Libby’s session will be available soon.
SWAN Mums Abigail Burton and Renee Swannack, feature in this excellent podcast about families caring for a dying child.
This podcast series is a collaborative project funded by the Quality of Care Collaborative Australia (QuoCCA) in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program.
Jodi (one of our SWAN mums) has kindly shared a song dedicated to her beautiful daughter Cosette, who passed away in 2022 at the age of five. The song is written and recorded by Pat Eaton, Cosette’s brother and is titled ‘Hang On, Wait A Minute’.
Providing information and support to families caring for a child with an undiagnosed or rare genetic condition.