Dignity’s donation to Grief Encounter provides essential grief support for children

National Grief Awareness Week, taking place from 2 to 8 December, serves as a timely reminder of the profound impact loss can have on children, who often grieve in ways that differ from adults. While the emotional impact of grief can be difficult for any age group, young people often struggle to express their feelings and process their loss in a way that feels safe and supported.

Recognising this, Dignity, a leading provider of end-of-life services, is reaffirming its commitment to supporting bereaved families beyond the funeral, through its work with Grief Encounter, a charity dedicated to helping children navigate the complex emotions associated with loss.

Chelsea Harding, Head of Fundraising at Grief Encounter, said: “Every 20 minutes in the UK, a child experiences the death of a parent or carer. Without support, research tells us that the death of someone close in childhood can have a devastating impact on their future. Dignity has helped to prevent this and help offer bright futures to grieving children and young people. With so much demand and need for our services we are so thankful for their dedication and commitment to making a long term big difference to so many children across England and Wales.”

Dignity’s latest donation of £10,000 adds to its ongoing commitment to Grief Encounter, bringing the total donated since 2021 to £60,000. This most recent contribution has funded one-to-one specialist counselling sessions for children in need. The sessions, delivered by qualified counsellors, are designed to help young people process their grief in a supportive, age-appropriate environment.

Stuart Cox, Head of Public Affairs at Dignity, added: “We understand that children experience loss differently, and it’s crucial that they have access to the right resources to support them during such a challenging time.

“Our donation to Grief Encounter will help ensure that children have access to the support they need to navigate their grief, at a time when it’s most crucial.”

Dignity’s donation is made possible through its ongoing participation in a metal recycling scheme administered by the Association of Private Crematoria and Cemeteries (APCC). The scheme recycles metals such as prosthetic limbs and joint implants recovered during the cremation process, with the express consent of bereaved families. All profits raised are donated to charitable causes, such as Grief Encounter.

Research consistently shows that children who experience the death of a parent are at an increased risk of mental health issues, school exclusion, and behavioural problems. With long NHS waiting lists for bereavement counselling, Grief Encounter plays a vital role in ensuring that no child is left to grieve in silence.

For more information about Grief Encounter and how you can support their vital work, visit www.griefencounter.org.uk