Family bereavement support programme
The Family Bereavement Support Programme has for many years
supported families who are bereaved.
The programme offers monthly evening support groups and a
monthly newsletter, an Annual Memorial Service, information about specialist
community support programmes, and education, information and support to staff
around bereavement practice and issues.
Support Group
The monthly support groups are held onsite at the Royal
Children’s Hospital in the evenings.
Bereaved parents and close relatives or support people are welcome to
attend the group. These groups are
not suitable for children. If
you would like to know more about the groups or details of upcoming dates or
topics please email us at bereavement.services@rch.org.au
or click here for
monthly dates. Parents will receive an
invitation to the groups within the months following bereavement.
Newsletter
The newsletter is a resource for all parents, especially
those who are not able to attend the monthly support groups. It provides a way of capturing and sharing
the group discussion and the wisdom and advice offered by the
participants. We welcome contributions
from parents as a way of sharing individual experiences and expressions of
grief and remembrance of their deceased child.
Contributions can be in the form of stories, poems, information on
helpful resources, practical suggestions and book reviews. To make a contribution, or to add your name
to the newsletter mailing list, please email bereavement.services@rch.org.au.
Annual Memorial Services
A Memorial Service is conducted each year. This service is organised by RCH staff
including Social Workers and Spiritual Care practitioners, nursing and
administrative staff and a consumer representative. A bereaved sibling group is
usually held in the days leading up to this service. If you are interested in contributing to the
planning of this group please email the bereavement services email address: bereavement.services@rch.org.au.
RCH Foundation funeral assistance fund
The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation provides funding to
assist bereaved families with the cost of their child’s funeral. This fund is administered by the social work
department and can be applied for on the family’s behalf by a variety of
staff. This fund is available to any RCH
family who has experienced the death of their child and will have financial
difficulty covering the funeral expenses, regardless of the place of death,
with the exception of families who receive funding through the Children’s
Cancer Centre or TAC.
Brochure
Newsletters