All parents want their child to be healthy, and no two people react in exactly the same way to the death of a loved one, or to the diagnosis that their baby is going to be anything but perfect......

When a baby dies during pregnancy or is still born, parents may decide to have a funeral as an acknowledgement of the baby’s life. Should you choose not to have a private service, the hospital will ensure your baby is laid to rest with dignity....

The last thing a parent wants to do is organise their child's funeral, but it does help to be a little prepared, if not on paper then in your own head.....

It must be very difficult
To be a man in grief,
Since ‘men don't cry’ and ‘men are strong’,
No tears can bring relief....

Every year thousands of children face bereavement through the death of a grandparent, parent, sibling or friend....

With gratitude to the parents who shared their stories with me at the SOFT Conference 2010.
Erica Brown Vice President of Acorns Children’s Hospices in the West Midlands....