Your Voice Can Help Shape the Future of Bereavement Birth Care in Australia
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 11
When we lost our daughter, Whittaker, in 2021, we quickly discovered that while there were many compassionate healthcare professionals supporting bereaved families, there were very few conversations about what happens after a baby dies—and the choices families may have during that precious time.
Since then, Australia has seen an incredible growth in organisations dedicated to supporting bereaved families and educating healthcare professionals. This progress is something to celebrate, and we are grateful to stand alongside so many passionate individuals and organisations working to improve bereavement care.
At Whittaker's Wings, our vision has always been to explore one area we believe holds enormous potential: family-led after-death care.
We believe that, where appropriate, families should be empowered with knowledge, options and support to care for their baby in a way that feels right for them. In a situation where so much has been taken out of their control, being given meaningful choices can restore a small sense of autonomy, create precious memories, and support healthy grieving.
This approach isn't about replacing the exceptional care provided by hospitals. It's about complementing it.
By exploring compassionate, family-led models of after-death care, we believe we can also help ease pressure on an already stretched healthcare system while creating safe, comfortable sanctuaries where families can spend unhurried, meaningful time with their baby during the darkest days of their lives.
Help Us Understand Where We Are Today
To help shape this future, we're inviting healthcare professionals, students, funeral professionals and those involved in bereavement care to complete our anonymous Bereavement Birth Care Survey.
Your experiences, insights and perspectives will help us better understand the current landscape of bereavement education across Australia and identify opportunities to strengthen support for both families and healthcare professionals.
The findings will help inform future:
Bereavement birth care education and training
Practical resources for healthcare professionals
Advocacy initiatives
Family-led after-death care education and support
Future programs and collaborative projects designed to improve bereavement care across Australia
Every response brings us one step closer to creating meaningful, evidence-informed change.
A Gentle Reminder
Because the survey explores pregnancy loss and stillbirth, some questions may be emotionally difficult. Please complete the survey at your own pace. If you become distressed, we encourage you to pause or stop at any time and seek support if needed.
We Have Bold Plans
This survey is just the beginning.
We have bold plans for the future of bereavement birth care in Australia—plans built on compassion, dignity and hope.
Our vision is to create a future that supports families, strengthens bereavement care, complements our healthcare system, and ensures every family has the opportunity to make informed choices about caring for their baby after death.
We know this vision cannot become a reality alone.
How You Can Help
Whether you've experienced baby loss personally, work in healthcare, or simply believe every family deserves compassionate care, there are many ways you can be part of this journey.
Donate
Your financial support, professional expertise or volunteered time helps bring this vision to life.
Share
Share our mission, your story, your experiences and the conversations that matter. Every conversation helps raise awareness and break down the stigma surrounding stillbirth and bereavement care.
Learn
Stay curious. Ask questions. Explore compassionate, family-led approaches to after-death care and help create a culture where families are informed about their options.
Advocate
Be a voice for change. Help create a future where every family knows their options, every healthcare professional feels confident supporting bereaved parents, and every baby is honoured with dignity, love and respect.
Thank You
Meaningful change begins with people who care enough to ask difficult questions, share honest experiences and imagine something better.
Thank you for standing with Whittaker's Wings and helping us create a future where no family has to navigate stillbirth without compassionate, informed and family-centred care.
Together, we can transform bereavement birth care in Australia—one family, one conversation and one act of kindness at a time.
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