We are grieving the death of a family member from cancer
Losing a loved one to cancer is an incredibly difficult experience, and grief can affect every member of a family in different ways. This page brings together resources to provide support for families coping with the death of a family member to cancer, with a focus on the unique needs of each individual.
This section provides:
- Guidance for parents on supporting children through loss and helping families navigate conversations about death and remember their loved one.
- Access to grief and bereavement support, including helpline and services.
- Advice on preparing children for funerals and mourning rituals.
- Tips for looking after yourself when you’re grieving the death of a family member.
Every family experiences grief differently, and there’s no “right” way to mourn. These services and resources are here to help families feel supported, understood, and connected during this challenging time.
For personalised care beyond these resources, explore our range of cancer support services to see how we can help you and your family and connect you with people who understand.
Frequently asked questions
Practical guidance for families who have lost a family member to cancer, plus connection to the services that match where each family member is at.
For grieving families, Cancer Hub connects you with Grief and Bereavement Support, parents counselling through Cancer Hub (for the surviving parent or partner), Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25, for young people who have lost a parent or sibling), Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17, for younger children), and Canteen Connect (the secure online community for young people, including those grieving). Financial Assistance (Redkite) may help with essential family costs depending on your situation.
Grief is rarely uniform across a family. One parent and the kids will each be processing loss differently, and at different speeds. The point of having an intake team is that each member of your family can be connected to support that fits them, rather than the family being treated as one undifferentiated unit.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our get support page.
When you are already grieving, advice about coping can feel hollow. The honest answer is that the right support around you makes the difference, not a single coping strategy.
For families during and after a terminal cancer diagnosis, Cancer Hub connects you with Grief and Bereavement Support, parents counselling through Cancer Hub for the surviving adults in the family, Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25) for young people who are anticipating loss or already grieving, Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17) for younger children, and Canteen Connect for peer support from other young people in the same situation.
Grief that starts during a terminal diagnosis is sometimes called anticipatory grief. It is real and valid, and it does not mean you are giving up on the person who is unwell. It means you are processing what is coming, while also still being present with them now. The support is built for that double weight.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our get support page.
Cancer Hub provides ongoing support to families after the death of a family member from cancer, with services for adults and young people across the family.
The most direct pathways are Grief and Bereavement Support, parents counselling through Cancer Hub (for the surviving parent, partner or carer), Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25) for young people who have lost a parent, sibling or close family member, Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17) for younger children, and Canteen Connect (the secure online community where young people grieving the death of a family member connect with peers who get it). Financial Assistance (Redkite) may help with essential costs during the adjustment period.
Grief after a cancer death often does not arrive as one big wave. It comes in cycles, sometimes long after the funeral and the immediate support has dropped away. Cancer Hub’s support is there for the long arc of it, not just the early weeks.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our get support page.
Yes. Free professional counselling is available for every member of a family grieving the death of a family member from cancer.
Grief and Bereavement Support is the dedicated pathway through Cancer Hub. Parents counselling through Cancer Hub is available for the surviving parent, partner or carer. Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25) is free professional counselling for young people who have lost a parent, sibling, or close family member to cancer. Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17) is the option for younger children. Canteen Connect is the online community where young people grieving connect with peers who understand.
Grief counselling for a death from cancer is different from generic bereavement support. The specific shape of cancer grief, including anticipatory grief during illness and the long aftermath of treatment, is what the Cancer Hub counselling pathways are built for.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our get support page.
Coping with the death of a family member from cancer is not something you do once. It moves through phases over months and years, and what helps in the first few weeks is often different from what helps later on.
For grieving families, Cancer Hub connects you with Grief and Bereavement Support, parents counselling through Cancer Hub for the surviving parent, partner or carer, Counselling and Individual Support (Canteen, 12 to 25) for young people grieving a parent, sibling or family member, Children’s Counselling (Redkite, 5 to 17) for younger children, and Canteen Connect (peer support from other young people who have lost a family member to cancer). Financial Assistance (Redkite) may help with essential costs during the adjustment.
Grief affects each family member differently and on different timelines. The most useful thing is to make sure each person has their own support, not just the household as a whole.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our get support page.
Last reviewed: June 19, 2026