The loss of a child is a heartbreaking ordeal that no parent should have to endure.
However, tragically many do and in the depths of their darkest days, many are expected to fork out massive amounts of money to cover funeral costs.
Labour MP Carolyn Harris is receiving massive praise today after she bravely shared her story of how she lost her eight-year-old son, Martin.
In 1989, Martin walked onto a public road where he was struck by a car and killed.
Carolyn shared about her experience of dealing with such a loss.
Holding back the tears she said:
“The pain is so acute and the sensation of this is incomprehensible and the tragedy seems almost surreal.
“Seeing people outside of my own world going about their business just didn’t seem right. I said to myself, ‘Didn’t they know the world had come to an end?’”
Incredibly emotional speech by @carolynharris24 sharing loss of her beloved son to prevent other parents facing hardship over funeral costs
— Sarah Champion MP (@SarahChampionMP) November 28, 2016
Carolyn said she considered taking her own life in order to be with her son but decided she needed to stay to take care of her then three-year-old, Stuart.
Speaking of dealing with the funeral costs, Carolyn said it was a problem she couldn’t bear to think about or deal with.
“When you lose a child, the only thing you can give them is a funeral and a grave.
“I remember the day the bill arrived and that fear in my stomach as to how I would pay for it.”
Thankfully, Carolyn’s community stepped in and collected money to help the grieving family.
The mother-of-three bravely shared her story in an effort to raise awareness about childrens’ funeral costs, calling on the government to help grieving families by setting aside €10m.
When I was 8 my best friend died. Tonight him mum MP @carolynharris24 asked govt 4 just £10m to pay 4 child funerals https://t.co/OvC5GO678c
— Craig Brown (@Orcs) November 29, 2016
“The Prime Minister suggested the social fund could be used to help. But I say to the PM, at the darkest moment of a parent’s life, I couldn’t even fill a kettle never mind a 35-page form.”
