The Keepsake Circle works with bereaved parents and families to create original, bespoke songs in tribute to their child, or children, who have died. Using family’s stories and memories, an original song is crafted and recorded. Each song is individual to that family and a lasting tribute to the joy they bought to families lives.

We are working with The Keepsake Circle on a two-year project to provide this service for families to help them remember their child who was cared for, and supported by Helen & Douglas House, prior to, during and/or after their death. We have recently completed the first year of the project, and are in the process of starting year two.

After meeting with families, The Keepsake Circle then record the songs onto an album, so families can have “their” song in perpetuity. You can listen to our first album on Spotify here. The Keepsake Circle first worked with Derrian House hospice. They had overwhelmingly positive feedback, both about the process of discussing memories of their child so the song could be created, and the unique memento of the song. The Keepsake Circle have been delighted to bring the benefits Derrian House families experienced, to those at Helen & Douglas House.

We held our year one concert in the Summer of 2024 where the bereaved families could hear their songs performed. Read more about the first year concert and the family experience, as well as your chance to listen to the songs, by visiting www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/blog/the-keepsake-circle. 

We have been able to offer the opportunity to be involved in this project to ten families in 2023, and are pleased to offer this chance to be involved to another ten families in 2024. To benefit fully from this project, you and your family will need to have been bereaved for more than one year.

If you feel that your family may benefit from being involved in this project, please email [email protected] to find out more. 

To ensure we make the selection of families taking part in the process fair, we offer places in the order in which the responses arrive. Part of your involvement is also contingent on being available on or around specific dates in the bookings calendar.

The Keepsake Circle works with bereaved parents and families within palliative care organisations, like Helen & Douglas House, to memorialise their children in song. Each song is individual to that family and a lasting tribute to the joy they brought to their families lives. 

They also work with palliative care organisations, alongside families who have endured the most heart-breaking of losses. Using their stories and memories, we write original songs for their very special child who has gone too soon. 

Visit The Keepsake Circle’s website to find out more.  

We offer bereavement support to families, for up to two years, following the death of their child. We do this via a named bereavement support worker, and through groups and events for bereaved, parents, siblings and families.

To find out more visit www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/for-families/services/bereavement-support.