Therapy for child loss and pregnancy loss

Bereaved Families of Ontario

Peer support groups, educational resources, and services for families grieving the death of a child of any age. Understanding that child loss grief is unique and ongoing. Access resources.

Canadian Premature Babies Foundation

Support for families who've lost premature babies or are navigating NICU experiences. Bereavement support alongside medical information. Learn more.

The Compassionate Friends

International organization with Canadian chapters supporting families after the death of a child of any age. Meetings, online communities, and resources specifically for bereaved parents and siblings. Connect with others.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Many communities hold events, wave of light ceremonies, and gatherings. Connecting with others who understand can reduce isolation and validate your grief.

Books for grieving parents

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart by Deborah Davis addresses pregnancy and infant loss. The Bereaved Parent by Harriet Schiff speaks to all child loss. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, though not about child loss specifically, speaks beautifully about mortality and meaning.

Creating connection and meaning

• Honour important dates: birthdays, due dates, death anniversaries. Do what feels right—light a candle, visit a special place, gather with loved ones, or spend quiet time alone. There's no wrong way to mark these days.
• Create tangible remembrances: plant a tree or garden, make a memory box, create artwork, write letters to your child, or establish a memorial. Physical expressions of love and grief can be deeply comforting.
• Say their name: talk about your child. Share memories, include them in family conversations, and don't let others' discomfort silence you. Your child existed and mattered.

Navigating relationships and support

• Be clear about what helps: tell people specifically what you need. "Please don't say everything happens for a reason" or "I need you to just listen without trying to fix this" gives others guidance when they want to help but don't know how.
• Limit exposure to harmful people: you're not obligated to spend time with people who minimize your loss or make insensitive comments, even family. Protect yourself during this vulnerable time.
• Find others who understand: support groups, online communities, or individual connections with other bereaved parents provide understanding that well-meaning others simply can't offer. This shared experience reduces isolation.

Surviving day to day

• Lower all expectations: if you're showered and fed today, that's enough. Grief is exhausting. Normal life can wait. Give yourself permission to function at minimum capacity.
• Feel what you feel: anger, numbness, relief, guilt, despair, moments of laughter—all are normal parts of grief. There's no right way to grieve. Don't judge your feelings or try to force them into acceptable forms.
• Take grief in small doses: you don't have to feel everything all at once. It's okay to distract yourself sometimes, to laugh at something, to have moments when you're not actively grieving. This isn't betrayal; it's survival.