July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
As one of around 20 hospices that care for adults and children in England, we’re here for some of the most vulnerable families – those facing the unimaginable: a child’s life-limiting diagnosis, and in the hardest moments, their loss.
It’s a time to pause, reflect and honour the profound grief of parents who have lost a child–whether in pregnancy, childhood, or adulthood.
At Keech, we walk alongside families in their darkest days. We witness their heartbreak. And we understand that real care means more than medical support–it means presence, compassion and creating space for grief, even when words aren’t enough.
National Bereaved Parents Day – Thursday 3 July
Losing a child is a grief that never truly ends. Whether your child was young or grown, that love doesn’t go away. It lives on.
This National Bereaved Parents Day, we stand with every family who has experienced this most heartbreaking loss. You are not alone.
Light a candle of remembrance
At 7pm on Thursday 3 July, we invite you to light a candle in memory of your child.
Whether you’re at home, in your garden or somewhere special, this small act can be a powerful moment of reflection, love and connection.
Share their light
You’re welcome to share a photo of your candle or a memory of your child on social media.
Tag @KeechHospice and we’ll share your tribute —celebrating the lives and legacies of every child remembered.
Let’s come together with love and solidarity and say: you are not alone.
How Keech supports bereaved families
Our bereavement services walk with families for as long as we’re needed. We offer:
- One-to-one counselling and emotional support
- Peer support groups for bereaved parents
- Memory-making activities and keepsakes
- Safe, welcoming spaces to talk, cry, reflect and remember
We support families across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes–including parents who receive a life-limiting diagnosis during pregnancy. Whether it’s here at our bright and peaceful hospice or through our community team, we provide care that’s tailored to the whole family.
“Bereaved parents often tell us how lonely grief can feel. At Keech, we’re here to remind them that their child’s life mattered—and still matters. We honour every story, every memory, and every moment shared.”
— Clare Burden, Associate Director – Supportive Care and Social Work Services
Your support makes this possible
It costs over £22,000 a day to run Keech Hospice—and 70% of that comes from people like you.
Thanks to your generosity, we can continue to offer free, specialist support to every family that needs us.
Looking ahead
Later this year, we’ll gather for our Light up a Life service — a moving moment of remembrance with music, candlelight and community.
Find out more about Light up a Life
Together, we honour the love that never fades.
Light Up a Life