CUMH Bereavement Suite
A place of comfort, dignity, and support when families need it most.
Every year, thousands of families pass through the doors of Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Most welcome a new life and experience a joy like no other.
A small number face some of the most difficult moments imaginable – pregnancy loss, complex diagnoses, or supporting a loved one through palliative care.
During these deeply emotional experiences, families often need space:
Space to breathe.
Space to grieve.
Space to be together.
Right now, that space doesn’t exist.
Why This Space Is Needed
At present, families experiencing loss or supporting young patients requiring palliative care must cope within busy clinical environments – corridors, waiting rooms, or bedside spaces that offer little privacy.
Even simple comforts, like accessing a cup of tea or coffee, require leaving the ward entirely and travelling to the ground‑floor café. At moments of shock, grief, or emotional exhaustion, this distance can add further distress.
Patients, parents, and families have spoken clearly:
CUMH needs a quiet, private, compassionate space where people can gather, reflect, and support one another.
We are committed to listening… and acting.
Our Vision: A Dedicated Family Support Space
With your support, CUMH will create a calm, private, thoughtfully designed area within the ward for families facing loss or palliative journeys. This will be a warm, welcoming space offering:
- A quiet room for reflection, privacy, and connection
- Comfortable seating for parents and extended family
- Access to refreshments and essential amenities
- A respectful environment for sensitive conversations
- A refuge away from clinical activity during moments of grief
This space will honour the dignity of every family, every baby, and every experience.
The Impact of Your Support
1. Providing Emotional Support When It Matters Most
A dedicated space gives families the privacy they need to process trauma, grief, and loss with compassion.
It allows mothers experiencing pregnancy loss to be close to their loved ones without the distress of busy, medical surroundings.
2. Strengthening Family-Centred Care
Families are vital partners in care. This space creates an environment where they can gather, comfort one another, and have sensitive conversations with healthcare teams in a dignified, private setting.
3. Ensuring Accessibility and Dignity
By placing the space within the ward, families won’t have to wander corridors or travel to other floors in search of comfort or quiet. Everything they need will be close by, at one of life’s most vulnerable moments.
4. Responding to What Families Tell Us
This project is a direct response to patient and family feedback.
By supporting it, you are helping us build a hospital environment that reflects our values of empathy, respect, and continuous improvement.
You Can Make This Space a Reality
Together, we can transform CUMH into a place where every family, no matter their story, feels supported, respected, and held with compassion.
Please donate today and help us create a sanctuary for families when they need it most.
Did you know? If you donate €250 or more to CUH Charity in any one year, we can claim tax relief on your gift, increasing its value by 45% to us at no extra cost to you.
Find out our commitment to our donors by reading our Donor Charter.
