On the Death of a Child

The death of a child - whether during or following birth, through illness, through accident, or through suicide - is one of the greatest challenges families, carers, friends, and the health and social care professionals who support them can face. This book provides professionals with practical advice, resources for further support and reading, and much-needed reassurance that whatever contact they have with the bereaved, and however inadequate they may feel to the task, they can make a difference. With revised material and an entirely new chapter reflecting recent developments in bereavement theory, the third edition of this classic text offers unique insights for professionals with varying levels of experience. From theory and narrative come practical ideas on what to say, what to do, how to behave, how to stay humble in situations where the only real experts are the bereaved themselves, and how professionals can look after themselves in what can be particularly traumatic and upsetting circumstances.