Support if a child or baby dies
If your child or baby dies, you do not have to face it alone. Support is available to help you cope with how you feel and any practical steps you may need to take.
You may find it helpful to talk to someone about your feelings. This could be:
- a friend or family member
- your GP
- your midwife or health visitor, if your baby has died
Support organisations
There are specialist organisations and charities who can also help you.
Sands
Sands
Sands is a charity that supports anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. They offer support with grief by telephone, email, in groups or an online forum. They also provide a free Bereavement Support Pack for parents.
Website
Phone
0808 164 3332
Monday and Friday: 10am to 3pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10am to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
SUDC UK (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood UK)
SUDC UK
SUDC UK (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) offers support for those who child has died unexpectedly and is between 1-18 years.
Website
Phone
07880 350 942
Monday and Friday: 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Cruse Scotland
Cruse Scotland
Cruse Scotland provides local support services for bereaved adults, children and young people across Scotland.
Website
Phone
0808 802 6161
Monday and Friday: 9am to 8pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK offers support to families when a baby or child dies.
Website
Phone
0800 028 8840
Monday and Friday: 9am to 8pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Bliss
Bliss
Bliss offers support to families when a baby needs neonatal care or is born premature or sick.
Website
Held In Our Hearts
Held In Our Hearts
Held In Our Hearts provide counselling and befriending support for family members after the death of a child.
Website
Phone
0131 622 6263
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust is a charity dedicated to the sudden unexpected death of babies and young children. They provide various support services across Scotland.
Website
Phone
0808 802 6868
Monday to Friday: 10am to 2pm
Saturday and Sunday: 6pm to 10pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
The Miscarriage Association
The Miscarriage Association
The Miscarriage Association is a charity who provide support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
Website
Phone
01924 200 799
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 4pm
Wednesday and Friday: 9am to 8pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Baby Loss Retreat
Baby Loss Retreat
Baby Loss Retreat supports families throughout Scotland through counselling, trauma therapy, remembrance initiatives, sibling support and completely free family retreats.
Website
Phone
0141 248 4200
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Twins Trust
Twins Trust
Twins Trust offers compassionate support to families experiencing the loss of one or more of a set of twins or triplets.
Website
Phone
0800 138 0509
Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm and 7pm to 10pm (excluding bank holidays)
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends support bereaved parents and their families after the death of a child. The helpline is always answered by a bereaved parent. There's also an online forum where you can speak to other bereaved families.
Website
Phone
0345 123 2304
Monday to Thursday: 10am to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm
Friday: 10am to 4pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
NHS Inform (for baby loss)
NHS Inform have resources on coping with grief after the death of a baby.
Website
Mental health resources
You can also get mental health support to help you through grief and baby loss.
Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH)
Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH)
SAMH provides services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health, social care and employment support.
Website
Phone
0141 530 1000
Monday to Friday: 10am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges on GOV.UK
Breathing Space
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is Scotland's national helpline for people experiencing emotional challenges. It provides a free, confidential phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. You must be over 16 to access support.
Website
Phone
0800 03 85 87
The helpline is open:
Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am
Friday 6pm until Monday 6am
Webchat
Webchat is available from:
Monday to Friday, 6pm to 2am
Saturday and Sunday, 4pm to 12am
Samaritans
Samaritans is a charity that connects people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen.
Website
Phone
116 123
The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Support for children and young people
Other children in your family may need support after a child dies.
You can get advice and support to help children and young people understand what has happened and talk about their feelings.
Winston's Wish and Child Bereavement UK support children, young people and adults up to the age of 25 after the death of someone important to them.
Richmond’s Hope is a charity that provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved.
The Childhood Bereavement Network has information on supporting bereaved children and young people.