Children's hospice: "Not here to watch my son die"

"An inpatient children's hospice takes in children, teenagers and young adults who are affected by a life-shortening or incurable illness," explains Franziska Kopitzsch, Managing Director of the federal association.

Many remembrance rituals for deceased children

Last year, "Bärenherz" provided inpatient care for 163 families from all over Germany, many of whom came several times. Two children died in the house last year, and since the children's hospice opened in 2008, there have been almost 200. In the garden of remembrance, there are nests made of wicker baskets that relatives fill with photos, jewelry, porcelain figurines, necklaces and even their favorite Lego toys. Such rituals are important for the relatives, but also for the staff, says Adeline Kremer, art therapist and grief counselor at "Bärenherz".

There is an illuminated memorial stele at the entrance, in which a small child's hand lies protected in two adult hands. When a child has died in the house, the light is switched off. In another place, a photo of the young person is placed on a memorial shelf and a candle is lit. It burns until the body has left the house. Both are silent signs that the time in the "Bärenherz" is now different since the young person is missing.

Offer for parents depends on donations - celebrities help

The illness can last for many months or years until death. The children's hospice accompanies the long and often painful journey and is itself dependent on support. Numerous volunteers help. Although health insurance companies cover the majority of the costs for patients, the services for parents and siblings are financed almost entirely by donations, as Ulrike Herkner explains. The donation budget is therefore just under two million euros per year.

Numerous celebrity ambassadors such as Prinzen frontman Sebastian Krumbiegel are helping. The 59-year-old is involved in fundraising campaigns and comes to the house several times a year to play music for the children and families. "Life can deal you a blow and many are certainly glad that they are not affected. That's why it's important to develop empathy and compassion for this cause," says the 59-year-old.

He plays the piano this afternoon and sings "Somewhere in the world there's a little bit of happiness". Corinna, who is seriously ill, is fascinated by the piano. The six-year-old plays four-handed with the professional musician and accompanies him with a rattle or guitar. She is beaming all over her face.

Carolina from Leipzig doesn't have her head free to enjoy the little concert. She has 17-day-old Eva in her arms, wrapped in warm blankets. Eva also has a life-shortening illness. "I'm staying here for 14 days. I want to prepare myself for the transition so I can continue caring for the little one at home," says the young mother.

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