The bereavement support project Lacrima for children, young people and the people close to them is expanding to several locations across Germany in 2026. According to Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and participating project organisations, additional places in groups are being created and volunteers are receiving training. Existing services, such as the one in Tübingen, which began in December 2023, will continue; an expansion project is planned for the Rhine-Main region . A volunteer training course to prepare for providing further support is scheduled for January 2027 in Cottbus .
Lacrima is for minors who have experienced the death of someone close to them. The service includes regular, age-appropriate bereavement groups, individual consultations and the involvement of parents or other trusted adults in a professionally supported setting. Participation is free, according to the organisations running the service. Much of the work is carried out by trained volunteers who complete specialist courses; funding and training are provided through donations and grants.
The The Johanniter stress that children and young people express grief differently from adults. The groups therefore use age-appropriate methods, such as play, creative activities and guided conversations. The aim is to help participants put their feelings into words, provide reassurance and support stability in everyday life. Professional guidance on bereavement support for children and young people also recommends close coordination with the people who support them.
The expansion will increase the number of places and contacts available. This gives schools and youth welfare offices more opportunities to work together in acute situations; at the same time, the organisations running the service warn that regional gaps may remain and that demand exceeds capacity in some areas. Further development will depend on available grants, the volume of donations and the recruitment of trained volunteers.
Lacrima is not a single, nationwide government service. Rather, Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe and partner organisations provide it regionally under the same project name. Its structure and content are based on established standards for bereavement support, which each organisation implements according to its location. The regional associations and participating foundations regularly publish specific dates and new course offerings. Announced plans—such as the volunteer training course in Cottbus in January 2027—are subject to sufficient resources being available.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).