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  • supporting-bereaved-families
  1. Find information
  2. Grief Resources for Families
  3. For friends and family

For friends and family

'My friends have supported me and comforted me. How do I ever thank them? I don’t know. I probably haven’t said it enough, consumed as I am by grief. But I have told them that I love them, that this will get easier, and one day we will go dancing again.' – Nicky

The death of a baby is one of life’s most distressing experiences for parents. The loss of hopes, dreams and a future with their child leave many parents feeling confused, isolated and heartbroken.  

Family members, friends, or colleagues may find it challenging to know how to best support someone through this tragedy.  

It’s normal to feel unsure about what you should do or say.  

In the beginning, simply acknowledging the gravity of this significant loss is a good place to start. Make contact and offer simple and sincere thoughts that recognise the baby’s life and their place in the family.  

Practical support – doing groceries, walking the dog, or dropping off meals – can also be a huge help when parents have little energy left to keep up with everyday tasks. 

As time goes on, bereaved parents will especially appreciate you remembering significant days or special milestones with a phone call or card. By acknowledging their baby, you are showing the parents that their baby lives on in the hearts of others. 

Our Sands_Factsheet_Words_Matter.pdf fact sheet has been designed to help guide your early conversations with loved ones whose baby has died. 

Our fact sheet For Family and Friends helps explain what bereaved parents may be going through, and what supports they may need, now and into the future. 

Words matter

Words matter

A guide to what to say to a family member, friend or colleague whose baby has died Read more

Published: 23rd May, 2019

Updated: 18th January, 2022

Author:

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    24/7 phone support - 1300 308 307

    1300 308 307 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year We're here for you.

  • In Person & Online Group Support

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    Join other families who have experienced a loss similar to yours. You are not alone. We are here for you.

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    Support after the death of a baby through stillbirth or newborn death

  • Online support

    Online support

    Support via Live Chat, email & Facebook

  • Fact sheets

    Fact sheets

    Fact sheets for your hospital or health care organisation

  • Hospital to Home

    Hospital to Home

    Hospital to Home is a program funded by the federal government and designed to support bereaved parents following stillbirth and newborn death.

  • Sands is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.

    Sands is a volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land in which our staff, Board and community work, live and visit. We pay our respects to the Elders of those many nations from past and present, recognising their continuing connection to land, waters and community.

We respect the knowledge and expertise of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with their strong culture and traditions whose hands have touched many babies birthed and children reared on this land, and acknowledge their experience of loss in many forms.

© 2021 Red Nose Australia. Sands Australia is now proudly part of Red Nose.

ABN 81 462 345 159

   
  
Red Nose Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land in which our families, volunteers, staff, Board and committee members work, live and visit. We pay our respect to the elders of those many nations - past, present and emerging, recognising their continuing connection to the land waters and community.
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