No one grieving the death of a child needs to grieve alone. We provide compassionate bereavement care to anyone who has experienced the death of a child under 19 in British Columbia or the Yukon. Our program offers a range of services designed to help families understand their unique grief experience, find ways to cope with and integrate their grief, and connect with others.
Grieving the loss of a child is overwhelming and confusing, and changes over time. Grief affects everyone in a family including parents, caregivers, siblings, grandparents, other loved ones, and the community around the child who has died. Therefore, we welcome bereaved families to be in touch with us at any point.
We believe
- Grief is a natural response
- Grieving is unique for each person at any age
- Grief is a lifelong process that changes through time; it does not follow a linear timeline or sequence.
- Every person has the natural capacity to adapt and integrate their grief
- Caring and acceptance from a compassionate community helps grievers feel less alone
Program Offerings
Grief information sessions
We provide written materials and Grief Information Sessions to enhance understanding about the nature of grief. This can be a gentle way to start with support in the early months and can also be helpful at any time.
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Help Texts
Help Texts is a yearlong service which provides text-message based individualized grief support right to your phone. Help Texts messages contain tips, resources, and practical wisdom through the grieving process. With a brief registration, support begins right away through thoughtful and comforting texts. These are a very gentle way to receive support especially for siblings over 13 years old. Learn more and sign up here.
Bereavement Support Groups
We offer Bereavement Support Groups for parents/caregivers and siblings in-person at Abbotsford and Vancouver hospices and virtually. These groups offer mutual support and acceptance, practiced through listening and sharing comfort. They are facilitated by Canuck Place counsellors and trained bereavement volunteers.
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Bereavement workshops, events, and gatherings
We provide opportunities to connect with other families throughout the year, such as expressive arts workshops, seasonal events, and recreational activities. An especially meaningful event for our bereaved families is the annual Remembering our Children event. Visit our Bereavement Workshops and Events (link to that page) page for an up-to-date listing of our current and upcoming programming.
Grief focused counselling
We offer individual and family grief counselling, spiritual care, and music therapy for parents/caregivers, siblings, grandparents and other important people in a child’s life. We offer sessions in-person at our Vancouver and Abbotsford hospices, and virtually by phone or video. To make a request for counselling please contact our Bereavement Coordinator at [email protected] or by calling the Canuck Place Bereavement Care Line at 778-900-4609.
Sibling Grief
Siblings are often considered “forgotten grievers” and have important needs that differ from those of the adults in their lives. A child needs opportunities and permission to:
- Understand
- Express Feelings
- Know they belong and matter
At Canuck Place we offer Sibling Grief Support in a variety of ways:
- Sibling and Family Support Groups
- Grief Focused Counselling
- Text Message Support through Help Texts
We also recommend these resources:
- The Grief at Home Activities from Judi’s House
- The Coping with Loss materials from the Courageous Parents Network
Seek Support
A request or inquiry can be made to [email protected] or by calling the Canuck Place Bereavement Care Line at 778-900-4609. Please ask to speak with the Bereavement Coordinator. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1-3 business days.
Healthcare Providers: A member of the child’s healthcare team or other providers can provide Canuck Place contact information to the family, or they may email the above address with a request and the family’s consent to be contacted.
Bereavement Practice guidance or education to hospital, community healthcare, school, mental health or providers who support the needs of bereaved families grieving the death of a child under 19. Please email Clinical Practice Leader, Bereavement [email protected].