It is hard to imagine a worse situation for a couple to face than the terminal illness of their child. High material standards and advanced medical technology have exposed few parents to first-hand experience of losing a child. For some, however, they have converted the acute trauma of certain death into the long-term stresses associated with chronic illness and its uncertain course. This paper describes the nature of some of the stresses on family members, paying particular attention to the parental couple. Through detailed consideration of one couple's experience, the internal ramifications for marriage of a child who is seriously and chronically ill are examined, and consideration is given to the effectiveness in these circumstances of anticipatory mourning and other forms of help.