The Death of a Child

_{Floor 2, Gallery 52, Arts of the 18th Century.}

Joshua Reynolds, Penelope Boothby, oil on canvas, 1788 

Penelope Boothby was almost 6 when she died. Her father, Sir Brooke Boothby, was utterly bereft. He published a book of poetry in her memory and his profound grief contributed to the breakdown of his marriage. Her image was widely reproduced, and she became a symbol of the fear of loss that stalked many families, in an era of high child mortality that predated childhood vaccinations. Today, we often view the death of a child or young person as particularly tragic, because we feel their lives have ended too soon.

What ethical responsibilities do healthcare professionals have towards grieving parents beyond medical treatment? Should emotional care be part of their duty?

_{Floor 1, Gallery 31, Islamic Middle East.}

 Gravestone of a Muslim Girl, possibly Ghariba, the daughter of Makhluf al-Jala, died 4 Shawwal of the year 431 of the Islamic calendar, corresponding to 17 June 1040 AD, marble, probably Tunisia

For some, inscriptions and prayers on memorials provide comfort; for others, faith is not part of mourning. The text on this gravestone ends with a prayer for the consolation of the deceased’s parents, which often forms part of the inscriptions on the tombs of children in the Islamic world. The aftermath of death may involve doctors in wider conversations, for example, with faith-leaders.

What is the doctor’s role in the space between the facts of death and the faith of those experiencing it, and how should healthcare professionals respond when families’ expectations of spiritual support diverge from secular medical practice?

How might recognising diverse traditions around death open up more equitable and compassionate care for families today?

Supported by the Ashmolean Museum and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences