Practical Support After the Death of a Child
Bereavement Library
Carefully chosen books, available free through trusted locations across the UK.
When a child dies, finding the words for what has happened can feel impossible. Our Bereavement Libraries bring together books selected by bereaved families. These books help to offer understanding, shared experience and gentle guidance whenever you feel ready. Our libraries include books written for mums, dads, children and teenagers that cover the death of a child at different ages and through different circumstances.
What you’ll find
Books for different people and different moments
For parents
& carers
Shared experiences, practical guidance and gentle reassurance through grief.
For children &
young people
Age-appropriate stories to help make sense of death, feelings and change.
For supporting someone
Resources for relatives and trusted adults walking alongside a bereaved family
Collections vary between locations. Contact your chosen host if you are looking for a particular title or subject.
Find your nearest Bereavement Library
Support you can return to in your own time
Grief does not follow a timetable. A book may help soon after a bereavement, much later, or at moments when feelings and questions resurface.
Our libraries make trusted resources easier to find locally. You can explore experiences similar to your own, help a child understand what has happened, or find ideas for supporting someone you love.
A place to find the words you need
Use the map to explore Ripples Bereavement Library locations.
Select a pin to see the host organisation, address and any visiting or contact information.
Please note: each library is hosted independently, so opening times, borrowing arrangements and access may vary.
There is no right time to reach for support.
“The books are absolutely fabulous and we are so thankful for them. Within our department they will be used regularly for those in hospital dying or for their families who are bereaved and having both adults and children’s books are wonderful. Thank you and your wonderful team for that.”
— Family Bereavement Team, General Hospital
EXPLORE THE COLLECTION
Looking for a particular book?
Browse our recommended reading list for books that may
support parents, children, siblings and wider family members.
DEDICATE A BOOK
Want to recommend a book for our libraries?
If a particular book has supported you, you can recommend it for consideration in our
Bereavement Libraries. You can also ask for a book to be dedicated in memory of your
child, helping their name and story become part of the support offered to other families.
FOR ORGANISATIONS
Interested in hosting a library?
Hospices, hospitals, bereavement support groups and community
organisations can find out more about joining the network.
Support should feel easy to find
❤️
Use our map to find a Ripples Bereavement Library near you.