Losing a loved one often comes with an avalanche of insurmountable emotions and unanswered questions. Recognising the profound impact of bereavement, particularly the loss of a parent, child, or close friend, Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp’s praised podcast Parent & Baby Brunch has launched a special mini-series focusing on the complex topic and a guide on how best to navigate losing a loved one.
South Africa (20 March 2025) – Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things each and every one of us is destined to experience in our lifetime. It’s an inevitable part of life’s journey, yet one of the most gut-wrenching and complex ones we’ll have to live through.
But how does one continue through life without the loving mother who was always a phone call away, the friend who adored all their quirks, or the child they brought into this world?
Parent & Baby Brunch Launches Special Mini-Series on Bereavement
Parent & Baby Brunch, a widely acclaimed podcast series hosted by Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, has launched a special mini-series focusing on bereavement. The first episode, titled How to Deal with the Loss of a Family Member, is now available.
During the insightful series, Elana and her expert guests explore the complex and emotional journey of grief, offering guidance to listeners on how to navigate the loss of a loved one.
This new series aims to support families, providing them with tools to process their emotions and cope with the practical implications of bereavement.
“When we face the loss of a loved one, especially a child or a parent, it might be the most confusing process in our lives—and most of us are simply not prepared for such events,” says Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, podcast presenter and founder.
“Sometimes, all we need is a little guidance to work through difficult times together. Join us for this special bereavement series where we speak to professional counsellors and experts to be better equipped—mentally, emotionally, and practically—when a loved one passes.”
How to Deal with the Loss of a Family Member
The first episode features clinical social worker Carin Marcus, who brings over 25 years of experience in grief counselling.
Having worked in hospital oncology settings and having spent 11 years at Hospice Wits, Marcus provides listeners with valuable insights on how to process grief. Her personal experiences, including the loss of her father in the Helderberg air disaster, have shaped her empathetic and profound approach to bereavement care.
Marcus offers powerful advice on the long-term nature of grief:
“Clients always ask, ‘How many therapy sessions to get over my grief?’ But it’s a long-term process that must take its time.”
When asked what to say to someone in grief, she emphasizes, “…nothing, sometimes just show up and be present.”
She also provides advice on how to support parents who have lost a child:
“We could ask how to help with remembering because it’s a lifelong process.”
During their insightful and soul-comforting conversation, Elana also gets personal about the loss of her aunt as well as a friend who tragically lost their son. She also poses the question about what to say or how to offer meaningful support beyond offering “sincere condolences”.
Loss and grief can be challenging to manage, both for those experiencing it and for those trying to support them. However, Marcus delicately touches on how simply being physically present and showing up for someone in deep pain can offer more genuine support than words alone often can.
Over the next few weeks, Parent and Baby Brunch will continue to present support episodes for handling grief in different circumstances, bringing more expert voices to the conversation.
This special bereavement mini-series is brought to you by Epi-Max Baby & Junior—Our Family, for Your Family—sponsored by Curaprox and supported by Jacaranda FM.
Listeners can tune into this insightful podcast episode on Apple and Spotify.
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