Grief Support

The death of a family member, friend or other significant person is a lifelong loss for children. It is normal to miss the person who died and to experience grief that might come and go with different levels of intensity for some time after the death. 

It can be challenging to parents and caregivers to know what to do for, what to say to and how to help those who are obviously hurting. (National Alliance for Children's Grief)

Here are a few suggestions about how to be helpful to a grieving child:

• Grief is a normal reaction for children to the death of someone significant. 

• Each child's grief is as unique to him or her as was their relationship with the deceased. 

• Grieving children often feel alone and misunderstood. 

• Children will experience grief over the death of significant people at different times throughout their lives.  

• Grieving children often experience personal growth as a result of their loss. 

• Grieving children feel less alone when they are with other children who have experienced the death of a significant person and when they have loving, consistent adults in their lives.