Death of a child the ultimate tragedy, says counsellor

THE death of a child is often seen as the ultimate tragedy, says a bereavement counsellor who has dealt with many families left devastated by such a loss.

It is especially hard to deal with because it goes against the natural order, said Mary Lynch, a volunteer with the Bereavement Counselling Service. Parents expect to be buried by their children, not the other way around.

“When it’s a young child it’s very difficult because with that death go an awful lot of dreams and hopes. You are losing a little bit of your future,” she said.