If you are visiting this page, it is probably because your child, or the child of someone close to you, has died as a result of a heart condition.
We are deeply sorry for your loss and would first like to extend our heartfelt condolences.
The death of a child is one of the most difficult experiences a parent can face. Support is essential at the time of death and in the months and years that follow, whether it comes from loved ones, organizations or professionals.
It is normal to experience conflicting and changing emotions and to grieve differently from the other parent or other family members.
In many cases, the pain gradually becomes less intense during the first year following the death. However, events later in life may bring it back, especially after the loss of a child.
Resources and Support
The siblings of a child who has died will also need support. Several resources on this page are intended for them.
Your grief matters too. Many of the organizations listed here can support anyone affected by the loss, not only parents.
Information last updated in March 2026
The information and resources provided on this page are for informational purposes only. The Fondation En Cœur cannot guarantee their accuracy or that they are up to date. The content does not necessarily reflect the Foundation’s values or positions. Some links may also be inactive or lead to information that is no longer current.
This page is reviewed periodically, ideally every two years. If you notice any inaccurate information or broken links, or would like to suggest an additional relevant resource, please contact us at encoeur@en-coeur.org.
Hospitals and Government
- Administrative and legal steps to take following a death:
https://www.quebec.ca/famille-et-soutien-aux-personnes/deces/que-faire
https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/fr/conditions-travail/conges/lies-famille/deces
- The Montreal Children’s Hospital bereavement support program and various resources:
https://hopitaldemontrealpourenfants.ca/programme-pour-les-personnes-en-deuil/
- Guide for family and friends:
https://hopitaldemontrealpourenfants.ca/programme-pour-les-personnes-en-deuil/
https://cusm.ca/sites/default/files/micro/OTD/Deuil_Booklet_September-04-2024_web.pdf
- Documentary and educational series on perinatal grief, featuring family testimonials:
- Information (books and brochures) about perinatal grief:
https://www.chusj.org/fr/Soins-services/M/Mort-/Mort-Deuil
General Information About Grief
Information about grief to support you, someone close to you or children:
- Grief in children:
Talking about death with school-aged children and teenagers:
https://lavielamortonenparle.fr/profil/parent-deleves/
Note: This resource provides useful information about grief in children, but it is based in France. Its references to services and follow-up care therefore do not reflect the realities of Québec.
- Loss of a child:
https://mondeuil.ca/mod/lesson/view.php?id=815&pageid=1984
- Directory of resources across Québec (may not be up to date):
https://www.fondationmonbourquette.com/repertoire-provincial
- Resources for perinatal grief:
https://www.fondationmonbourquette.com/deuilperinatal-enfant
- Information, support and resources following the death of a premature baby:
https://premaquebec.ca/soutien-en-cas-de-deuil
- Grief after being a caregiver:
https://www.lappui.org/fr/je-suis-aidant/etre-proche-aidant/deuils-et-apres-proche-aidance/
- Information, discussion evenings and testimonials:
For help covering funeral expenses, we invite you to contact one of the following resources:
Funeral expense benefit for people receiving social solidarity benefits (social assistance). This may apply if the child was hospitalized or was not in the care of their parents at the time of death; see the link for details.
Funeral cooperative (some funeral expenses for minors may be covered; check with your cooperative):
https://fcfq.coop/en/trouver-coop-funeraire
Certain agreements exist between hospitals and funeral homes in specific situations. If your child died in hospital, ask the hospital social worker for information.
Information current as of March 2026; services may change over time.
Throughout Québec
Your funeral home may offer bereavement support groups. You can contact them to find out.
Many palliative care homes also offer grief support services to the community, even if the person who died did not stay there. Check with organizations in your region to see whether their services are available and suitable for you.
Perinatal grief: If the loss is related to a pregnancy termination, a death during pregnancy, or the death of a baby during the first year of life, you can contact a perinatal resource centre in your region. Many offer specialized perinatal grief services:
https://www.rcrpq.com/les-crp/trouver-un-crp/
La Maison des Petits Tournesols — loss of children of any age; support for children, teenagers and adults, including grandparents; available online throughout Québec and in person in Old Longueuil:
https://www.lamaisondespetitstournesols.com/
Maison Victor-Gadbois — support for all types of loss; some services are available by videoconference throughout Québec:
https://www.maisonvictor-gadbois.com/soins-et-services#deuil
Perinatal grief: Most perinatal resource centres offer bereavement support:
Deuil-Jeunesse — fee-based support groups for adults and parents of grieving children:
Mouvement Albatros — available in several regions of Québec:
https://mouvementalbatros.org/organismes/
By Region
Organized by administrative region, where a specific service is available.
Montréal
Info-Deuil — downtown; all types of loss:
The Compassionate Friends — English-speaking volunteer parents supporting other parents:
https://tcfcanada.net/chapters/quebec/
Montréal South Shore
La Maison des Petits Tournesols — support for bereaved children, teens and adults, including grandparents; online throughout Québec and in person in Old Longueuil:
https://www.lamaisondespetitstournesols.com/
Outaouais
Entraide-Deuil — for children of all ages:
https://entraide-deuil.qc.ca/services/
Québec City Region
Services for children of all ages:
https://www.sdequebec.ca/accueil
Deuil-Jeunesse — fee-based; for adults and parents of grieving children:
https://l-alternative.com/nos-services/#groupe
Lanaudière
Aux Couleurs de la Vie — all types of loss:
https://auxcouleursdelavie.org/services/
Laurentides
Palliacco — all types of loss, Saint-Sauveur and Mont-Laurier:
https://www.palliacco.org/services-aux-personnes-en-deuil/
Montérégie
Maison Victor-Gadbois — all types of loss; available by videoconference throughout Québec:
https://www.maisonvictor-gadbois.com/soins-et-services#deuil
Aidants HSL — all types of loss:
Camps
Organized by administrative region.
Information current as of March 2026; services may change over time.
Free Services
Throughout Québec:
Phare, The Lighthouse — bereavement support available to any parent who has lost a child to illness
https://phare-lighthouse.com/nos-services/services-psychosociaux/la-lanterne-du-phare/
Mouvement Albatros — available in several Québec regions
https://mouvementalbatros.org/organismes/
Telephone listening service for bereaved people
https://tel-ecoute.org/services-pour-les-endeuilles/
- CLSC — contact the psychosocial intake service at your local CLSC; wait times and services vary by region.
- Family Medicine Group (GMF) — a request for support from a social worker can be made.
- Info-Social — call 811, option 2, for prompt support and a referral.
- Teenagers and young adults — services may be available through their high school, CEGEP or university.
- Your employer’s employee assistance program, if available.
Aire ouverte — for teenagers, online throughout Québec:
https://www.quebec.ca/sante/trouver-une-ressource/aire-ouverte
Depending on the region:
La Maison des Petits Tournesols — Montréal South Shore
https://www.lamaisondespetitstournesols.com/
Albatros Québec — Québec City region
https://albatrosquebec.ca/soutien-aux-proches-et-aux-endeuilles/
Aux Couleurs de la Vie — Lanaudière
https://auxcouleursdelavie.org/services/
Les Amis du Crépuscule — Montérégie, Saint-Hyacinthe; support from trained volunteers
https://www.lesamisducrepuscule.com/
Private (Fee-Based) Services
Deuil-Jeunesse — private services; financial assistance may be available:
https://deuil-jeunesse.com/services/professionnel/
Centre de ressources pour hommes de Montréal — support specifically for men; income-based fees:
https://www.crhmontreal.ca/nos-services/suivi-individuel/
SPP Laval — Laval only; income-based fees:
https://spp-laval.qc.ca/psychotherapie/
For private services, select grief and/or illness in the search field. If you have private insurance, check what may be covered.
Québec Order of Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
- Deuil-Jeunesse — several regions; all types of loss:
https://deuil-jeunesse.com/services/professionnel/
- Nova West Island — West Island; group support, individual support and camps for children and teenagers, in English and French:
https://www.novawi.org/bereavement-support-children-youth
- La Maison des Petits Tournesols:
https://www.lamaisondespetitstournesols.com/
- Entraide-Deuil — Outaouais:
https://entraide-deuil.qc.ca/services/
- Les Amis du Crépuscule — Montérégie, Saint-Hyacinthe; support from trained volunteers:
