Parents and families do not have to experience the loss of a child alone. Our team offers compassionate support both in and outside of the hospital.
MU Health Care offers bereavement services to support families who lose a child. Our team shares educational support resources with parents, time to make memories and keepsakes, memorial services and guidance for families navigating loss. We also work closely as part of your child’s care team to honor special care requests.
Our team will listen to your needs and offer comfort and support as your family processes loss. We can help you prepare to talk with children and family about loss and connect you to resources in your community as needed.
Healing After Loss
Our support is available to anyone, and families do not need to have received care at MU Health Care to get bereavement support. One of our team members will speak with you about follow-up support so that each family receives the support they need, no matter where they live.
Memorial Services
We offer memorial services for families to remember their children and babies. Every other year, MU Health Care holds a Remembering Our Children Memorial Service for families who are mourning the loss of a child. Each October, we organize a Remembering Our Babies Memorial Walk. Anyone enrolled in our follow-up program will receive individual invitations, and this walk is also open to the public. We encourage anyone touched by loss to attend.
Bereavement Support Groups
Grief is an ongoing journey, and many families find comfort in connecting with others who understand. Our team recommends the following support groups and websites for families who are interested in more resources.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss
- Share: Share supports families and individuals who have experienced the death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or in the first few months of life. The organization’s website includes information on local chapters that hold support groups in Missouri as well as a variety of Facebook support groups.
- M.E.N.D.: Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (M.E.N.D.) is a nonprofit group geared toward families who have experienced the loss of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or early infant death. The organization publishes free e-magazines and hosts a variety of online groups, including groups for fathers, pregnancy and parenting after a loss as well as a group for Spanish-speaking families.
Pregnancy After Loss
- Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS): Pregnancy after a loss can be especially difficult to navigate, and PALS’ mission is to support mothers along the way.
Child Loss
- The Compassionate Friends: This organization provides comfort, hope and support to all family members — parents, siblings and grandparents — who have experienced the death of a young loved one.
- MISS Foundation: The MISS Foundation provides resources, one-on-one mentorship and online support groups facilitated by trained moderators who are also bereaved parents, grandparents or siblings.
Supporting Siblings After a Loss
- The Dougy Center: This organization provides a supportive safe space where children, teens and young adults grieving the death of a sibling can share their experiences.
- National Alliance for Grieving Children: A nonprofit organization that supports the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for their loved ones.
