Background: The death of a child is a very traumatic event. Providing support to a family during this time is very critical. Many hospital staff (including physicians, nurses  and social workers) verbalize there own insecurities in providing care for families who have lost a loved one, especially with the loss of a child.

Goal: To provide the highest quality of care and support to families that have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or child. To prepare staff with resources that will assist them in caring for families that have experienced a loss.

Method: Brainstorming, review of literature and other institutions bereavement practices. Submission for grant funding for a bereavement program.

Results: Grant funding as received. A multidisciplinary bereavement committee was formed. Formal education courses, which included parents that have experienced the loss of a child, have been presented to staff. Resources for both families and staff along with bereavement follow-up practices have been organized and implemented.

Conclusions: The staff have voiced an appreciation and increase in their comfort level when caring for a family that has experienced a loss. Families that have experienced the loss of a child have provided positive feedback in the support that they received.