[Guidelines for helping families after the death of a child].

The death of a child imposes great strain on the family. The article outlines aims and guidelines for both immediate intervention and long-term follow-up. The author emphasizes early provision of outreach help that includes both parents and any children in the family. Parents are advised to view and touch the dead child and participate in rituals, and are encouraged to include any siblings of the dead child to do the same. Central themes for long-term follow-up sessions are outlined, and advice is given on how to coordinate the various services.