Bereavement Service
The Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service offers compassionate and culturally safe care for families who have suffered the devastation of the death of their child. Care extends to a family’s community of support, including extended family and friends, schools, employers and anyone else important in the family’s life. We believe the very best care and support is provided within a family’s community. Our service provides an additional layer of support throughout the enormous life adjustment that takes place for families and their community following the death of a child.
We support families in the following ways:
- Provide a contact point for conversation, guidance and referral
- Education and advocacy events
- A suite of service recommendations in the community
- Recommended books for all age groups and family members
- A quarterly newsletter Living Forward
- A private bereaved families Facebook group for information, resources and support
- The Annual Remembrance Ceremony
- Opportunities to connect with other bereaved families
Who can access this service?
Bereaved families
Any family whose child was cared for at Queensland Children’s Hospital or was connected to Children’s Health Queensland via a state-wide service and whose child has died.
Community of support
Any community member who is walking alongside a family whose child was cared for at Queensland Children’s Hospital or was connected to Children’s Health Queensland via a state-wide service and whose child has died.
Catchment area
The Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service is a statewide service. Care is extended to bereaved family members and their community of support throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not need a referral to access support. All families whose child was cared for through Queensland Children’s Hospital or Children’s Health Queensland and has died can access our care.
Information for health professionals
Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service offers information, resources and mentoring support for health professionals throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Our goal is to ensure all health professionals throughout our service catchment area feel confident and supported in walking alongside a family whose child has died.
We support health professionals in the following ways:
- A contact point for conversation, guidance and referral options
- A suite of service recommendations in the community
- Recommended books for all age groups and family members
- A quarterly newsletter Living Forward
- Education and advocacy events
Our team
Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service Coordinator
Neisa Glennon, BSW
Paediatric Palliative Care Service Bereavement Service Coordinator
Genevieve Gibney, BBehSc, MSW
This service is based at
Queensland Children’s Hospital
501 Stanley Street
South Brisbane
QLD 4101
View map
Contact details
Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service
For bereavement support contact:
t: 1800 080 316 (toll free)
e: chq_bereavement@health.qld.gov.au
Operating hours
Monday to Friday, 8.30am–4pm.
Telehealth clinic
Free counselling support is available to bereaved families through the CHQ CARES Telehealth Clinic. The service is delivered via telehealth (video call) by Queensland Children’s Hospital social workers.
For more information contact:
t: 1800 080 316 (toll free)
e: CHQ_bereavement@health.qld.gov.au
Urgent support
The Children’s Health Queensland Bereavement Service operates Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm. If you, or someone you know who is bereaved requires urgent support, please contact your family doctor, phone
Lifeline 13 11 14 or
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800