Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo

Bereavement Support Services

Bereavement Support Services compassionate support for families who need information dealing with the death of a child. Whether a parent, sibling, family member, friend or health care professional, this is the place to find information, tools and community resources in the Buffalo and surrounding area.

Support Services for Bereaved Parents and Families

Welcome to Compassionate Support After The Death Of A Child, a website for familiesrequesting information dealing with the death of a child.  Whether you are a parent, sibling, family member, friend or health care professional, this is the place to find information, tools and community resources in the Buffalo and surrounding area.

The death of a child is considered to be life’s greatest tragedy. To experience this loss without support and compassion is incomprehensible.  Bereavement Services are available for families who have had a child die at Women & Children’s Hospital, as well as families in the community who have lost a child at any age. The program was established to offer compassionate support, education, community referrals and support groups to those who are grieving and searching to find meaning after this devastating life experience. 

Services offered:

• Community Consultations
• Referral Service
• Support Groups
• Remembrance Services
• Bereavement Camp for siblings
• Perinatal Areas (Labor & Delivery, Maternity, NICU)
• Staff speak with families at the time a loss occurs
• Referrals are made to WNY Perinatal Bereavement Network for those interested in support groups.  Please contact Christine Scott (716) 626-6363 for more information.
• Parents are invited to the annual Walk to Remember

Bereavement Contacts at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

Brenda Whelan, RSM, MPM, BCC 
Pastoral Care/Bereavement Coordinator
(716) 878-7920
bwhelan@kaleidahealth.org

Departmental Support:

• Child Life (hospital & community)
• Pastoral Care
• Nursing
• Social Work

Perinatal Loss Support Team:

• Pastoral Care-(716) 878-7920 or 878-7434
• Child Life (hospital & community) (716) 878-7681
• Nursing
• Social Work