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
• 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

Bereavement Services Children’s Health Queensland Coordinator

Dr Leigh Donovan, PhD, BSW, Churchill Fellow

Bereavement Services, Paediatric Palliative Care Service Coordinators

Alyson Gundry, BSW, Grad Cert Bereavement Counselling and Intervention
Sophie Weeks, BSW