Brisbane
Queensland Children's Hospital
An established, repeat referral pathway through bereavement professionals.
Walking with bereaved parents
No parent should have to choose between grieving their child and keeping their job.
The Lumina Project is an Australian registered charity providing immediate financial support and a national voice for stronger, more compassionate workplace support after the death of a child.
Direct financial support. Trusted professional referrals. National advocacy for better workplace support for bereaved parents.
Interested in partnering with Lumina? →
We are working toward a nation that responds to child loss with empathy, dignity and adequate support, ensuring no Australian parent faces financial strain or employment insecurity after the death of a child.
What we do
Lumina combines financial support for families with national advocacy so no parent in Australia faces financial strain or employment insecurity after the death of a child.
Immediate practical support
Lumina provides one-off financial support to bereaved parents through professional referral pathways. Families are contacted directly and privately, with no application process, no requirement to prove financial hardship and no expectation that they publicly share their story.
Advocacy & law reform
Lumina advocates for stronger, more compassionate workplace support following the death of a child, including more adequate leave and better protections for bereaved parents.
Professional referral
Private contact
Direct financial support
OUR IMPACT
Officially operating since January 2026, Lumina is already demonstrating both community need and growing support for its work.
16
families referred
$28,105
raised to support Lumina’s work
2
established children’s hospital referral networks
0
application forms required from professionally referred families
OUR HOSPITAL REFERRAL NETWORK
Lumina works through established professional referral pathways so families can be connected to support without having to seek us out or complete an application.
Melbourne
The Royal Children's Hospital
An established, multidisciplinary and repeat referral network spanning Social Work, Intensive Care and the Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program.
PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Lumina is strengthened by trusted sector relationships and community support that help us respond with care, dignity and practical assistance.
Our Partner
The Compassionate Friends Victoria
Lumina is proud to partner with The Compassionate Friends Victoria, an established bereavement-support organisation supporting parents, siblings and grandparents following the death of a child.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring bereaved families are met with compassion, understanding and meaningful support.
Visit The Compassionate Friends Victoria
Community supporter
Bunnings Eltham
Bunnings Eltham has provided local community support to Lumina, including a donation that helps us respond to practical needs for families after the death of a child.
Their support reflects a shared commitment to dignity, care and community.
OUR LOW-BURDEN MODEL
Support should reduce the burden, not add to it.
Families do not apply to Lumina. Trusted healthcare professionals confirm that support is appropriate, that the family is aware of Lumina and consents to contact, and when it is appropriate for us to reach out.
There is no application form, no requirement to prove financial hardship, and no expectation that families share their experience publicly in return for support.
Our aim is to reduce the burden, not add to it.
Maria’s story
The Lumina Project was created in honour of Maria, a daughter, sister, athlete and bright, loving young woman whose life and struggle shape everything we do.
From the very beginning, Maria felt like pure sunshine, the kind of girl who made every room a little brighter just by being in it.
But behind her incredible spirit, Maria was fighting a long and difficult battle with addiction that began when she was just 13.
In September 2025, at just 24, Maria died from an overdose. Her love, bravery and incredible spirit continue to guide us.
Lumina is our way of honouring Maria by walking alongside other families facing the unthinkable.
Latest from Lumina
Lumina in Action
Community, partnerships and practical action are helping Lumina build its capacity to support bereaved families.
Community Fundraiser
A community comes together
Lumina’s inaugural Community Yoga Fundraiser brought people together for a meaningful day of connection, remembrance and support for bereaved families.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, donated, volunteered and helped make the day possible.
About Lumina
Built from lived experience. Led by lived experience.
The Lumina Project was founded by bereaved parents Julia and Juan Pablo Toral after the death of their daughter Maria. Moving through their own grief, they encountered sudden loss of income, complex systems and minimal workplace protection.
Lumina exists so other parents are not left to navigate this alone. We focus on the practical realities of child loss, financial strain, employment, and time to grieve, alongside existing emotional and peer support.
“Our hope is that every parent in Australia is met with time, support and dignity after the death of their child. Not silence, confusion and financial stress.”
Julia & Juan Pablo Toral, Founders (with daughters Maria and Julia)
Julia & Juan Pablo Toral, Founders (with daughters Maria and Julia)
Help a family today. Help Lumina be there tomorrow.
Your donation supports direct, practical financial assistance for bereaved families and helps strengthen the systems, referral pathways and capacity that allow Lumina to respond responsibly as more families are referred.
The Lumina Project Ltd is an ACNC registered Australian charity and endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
Other ways to help
Small actions can support Lumina too.
Donate your container refund
In Victoria, eligible bottles, cans and cartons can support Lumina through the Container Deposit Scheme. Simply nominate The Lumina Project using our Donation Partner ID when returning your containers.
Donation Partner ID
C2000082830