There is a helpful information sheet on Child Bereavement UK website explaining children’s understanding of loss at different ages and offering scripts and guidance on what we can say to help them. 

Please click to the image to access this information sheet, or click here to view their website: Child Bereavement UK 

The Archie Foundation  have a wide range of supports and services available, including: 

• Information on supporting a bereaved child

• Information on supporting a bereaved teenager

Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.

 For further information regarding how to support children with Additional Support Needs, please click here: Bereavement support for children with SEND | Winston's Wish (winstonswish.org) 

Compassionate grief and bereavement support in Scotland

Everyone experiences bereavement at some stage in their life, whether it's the death of a parent, a loved one, a friend or child.  The experience often means that our lives will never be the same again.  Sometimes the feelings - the despair, loneliness or even guilt - may overwhelm us, so much so that we need help.  In time, and with support, we can work through such feelings and learn to live with our loss.

Click here to view and download leaflets for adults, young people and children experiencing bereavement: Publications : Cruse Bereavement Care (crusescotland.org.uk) 

A comprehensive guide to helping children cope with grief:

Helping Children Cope With Grief - Child Mind Institute 

Following a loss or bereavement there are common patterns of behaviours that we might notice in our children and young people, varying depending on their stage of development and maturity. Children’s responses will reflect their own individual personalities and previous experiences. 

Alex lost his father to skin cancer a few years ago. As Alex discusses, the pain will never go away. But it does get better... 

The Resilience Project: Educating and Supporting Children around Death, Dying and Bereavement consists of five lessons covering the subjects of death, loss and grief. The lessons are aimed at pupils in Primary Six or Seven (aged 9 to 12 years) and address experiences and outcomes across Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. It was designed in response to children’s questions about death and bereavement and aims to ensure that all children have access to education about death and grief as a normal part of the lifecycle.