5 out of every 100 children in the UK lose a parent by the time they reach 16. That’s around 4,600 children in Scotland who will experience a parent’s death every year.

Death can be tough for anyone. As with everything else in life, it’s all about context. It’s much alleviated if the person affected has had the sort of life where they’ve enjoyed love and support and have built up resilience. It’s helped if there’s a good loving family and friends network, caring teachers or other professionals and access to specialist support.

It’s not like that for everyone, so there are some great organisations and services out there to help fill gaps.

This organisation has been charged with helping Scottish Government refine how it might take forward its commitment to appoint a new national co-ordinator of childhood bereavement services, to review and advise on steps to improve support.” They are carrying out survey to find out views. To contact someone at Children in Scotland for more information, please email them with the subject line: Childhood Bereavement Survey.

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people in Scotland. They seek to help anyone experiencing bereavement to understand their grief and cope with their loss.

Helpline: 0845 600 2227

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.  Helpline: 0800 02 888 40

The Childhood Bereavement Network is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK. The website includes a map of services.

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