“Children grieve too. So, what can you do?”
#BCAW #ChildrenGrieveToo
Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN), a partnership between Irish Hospice Foundation and Tusla, is proud to launch Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week 2025, marking a decade of advocacy and awareness for children experiencing bereavement across Ireland.
Taking place from 17th to 23rd November, ICBN invites families, communities, and professionals nationwide to come together under the theme “Children Grieve Too”, an essential reminder that children experience loss deeply and, with the right support, can learn to live with their grief in healthy and hopeful ways.
The campaign recognises that supporting bereaved children begins with the adults in their lives. When families, communities, and professionals have access to accurate, up-to-date information about childhood bereavement, they are better equipped to help children navigate their grief. Throughout the week, ICBN will showcase the healing power of books and stories, which can help children and young people understand and express their grief.
In collaboration with Children’s Books Ireland, ICBN will publish a specially curated Reading List designed to help local organisations create bereaved children’s “Book Nooks”. A new recommended reading section will launch on childhoodbereavement.ie, featuring insights from renowned authors including Julie Stokes and Patrice Karst on why they wrote their books to support bereaved children.
Local events will take place across the country in healthcare settings, schools, family resource centres, and community venues. Three special webinars will be hosted during the week, including an open evening for parents and carers, a schools-focused session in partnership with Rainbows, and an introduction to culturally sensitive approaches to bereavement support facilitated by AkiDwA – Network of Migrant Women living in Ireland.
Sonia Rennicks, Children’s Bereavement Manager at Irish Hospice Foundation said:
“Children experience grief in their own unique ways, and it’s our responsibility as adults to create safe spaces where they feel heard, understood, and supported. Through Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week, we want to encourage curiosity about children’s grief and help parents and carers feel empowered to have those important conversations. The healing power of books and stories can be transformative for bereaved children, giving them words for feelings they might not yet understand. We’re pleased to share resources that can make a real difference in children’s lives.”
Paula O’Reilly, CEO of Irish Hospice Foundation said:
“As we mark ten years of Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week, we reflect on how far we’ve come in recognising that children grieve too. Every child who experiences loss deserves support, understanding, and the tools to navigate their grief. This campaign empowers the adults in children’s lives with the knowledge and resources they need to provide that vital support. We’re calling on communities across Ireland to join us in ensuring no bereaved child feels alone in their loss.”
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Host a stand or display in your workplace.
- Read and share the blogs.
- Put up a poster on your local notice board.
- Organise a viewing of one of the webinars with colleagues. Register for these webinars on ICBN.
- Share the ICBN website with families who may benefit.
- Join the conversation on social media via Irish Hospice Foundations social channels:
Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn. - Download the media pack.
- Consider creating a “Supporting Bereaved Children” book shelf in your organisation, or encourage your local library to.
Useful Resources:
About Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week 2025
Bereaved Children’s Awareness Week takes place from November 17 – 23, and the ICBN are coordinating a series of events and initiatives that include professional webinars and online support sessions for parents and carers, as well as local and regional events organised by ICBN members and friends.
About The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN)
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network, hosted by Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), works with its members to advocate for bereaved children and young people. The ICBN aims to ensure that all children and young people, together with the adults in their lives, have access to high-quality local and national information, guidance, and support to navigate the impact of death on their lives. The ICBN is jointly funded by the Child & Family Agency (Tusla) and Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF).
About Irish Hospice Foundation
Irish Hospice Foundation works towards the best end-of-life and bereavement care and support for all. Through education and services, such as Nurses for Night Care and the Bereavement Support Line, Irish Hospice Foundation strives to ensure that every person can die and grieve well, whatever their age and wherever they are.
