The Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition (BFHN) will post a Request for Responses (RFR) to fund eligible providers to address gaps in and enhance capacity to provide bereavement services and supports for families experiencing a loss in their community for a maximum of five years beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026). It is anticipated that this planned RFR will distribute on or around 3 awards for approximately $150,000 each. In Massachusetts, one in every 238 pregnancies ends in stillbirth. Each year, more than 500 babies die before their first birthday, including approximately 230 infant deaths and 285 fetal deaths. The leading causes of infant mortality include congenital malformations, short gestation, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Among children aged 1 to 17 years, nearly 175 deaths occur annually in Massachusetts. The top causes of death in this age group are unintentional injuries, cancer, and suicide. Bereavement services provide compassionate, specialized support for individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a child under the age of 18, a stillbirth, or a fetal loss. These services help individuals and families cope with grief, connect to resources, and foster resilience among those served. These services support individuals, parents, siblings, grandparents, and caregivers. The range of services includes:
