Bereavement
Everyone grieves at their own pace and in their own way
Grieving is normal – no-one should ever feel ashamed
A child or young person’s behaviour is often their way of communicating how they are feeling
Allow a child or young person to seek support from whoever they feel comfortable with; teacher, friend, family, youth worker. Although, they may not want to speak about it to a member of the family, for fear of upsetting them further.
Every emotion is valid. A bereaved child or young person may feel sadness, worry, jealousy, despair, fear, anger and many other emotions. Relief that the person is no longer in pain. Joy that they got to have that person in their life.
A child or young person may experience physical symptoms including exhaustion, nausea, lowered immunity, change in weight, aches and pains, insomnia
If you are worried, seek help from a professional
Useful Websites
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.
Tel: 0800 02 888 40
Email: [email protected]
Live Chat is also available via the website
Winston’s Wish is the UK’s childhood bereavement charity. It supports children and their families after the death of a parent or a sibling.
Tel: 08088 020 021
Email: [email protected]
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Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. They provide frontline nursing and hospice care, a free support line and a wealth of information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.
The link above is specifically about support for grieving children
Tel: 0800 090 2309
Live Chat is also available via the website
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Cruse Bereavement Care - South East Surrey
All our volunteers are specifically trained in working with children aged 5+ and young people, and can see the young person in their home or at school. We are able to work on a one-to-one basis, with siblings or the whole family as appropriate (usually with a different volunteer for each member of the family) and we will work for as long as it is considered necessary.
Tel: 01737 772834
Email: [email protected]
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Jigsaw supports bereaved children of all ages, young people and their families and those affected by a family member having a terminal diagnosis throughout Surrey, Sussex and surrounding areas.
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Grief support
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Preparing for loss
Make an Online Self referral here
Helpline: 01342 313895 (9am-12pm Mon-Fri)
Email: [email protected]
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The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is a specialist membership organisation, working together to support bereaved children and young people.
Click on the link above to find support in your area.
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Recommended Reading
There are a huge amount of publications aimed at children, parents and siblings. The ones most widely used by Learning Space with children and young adults are:
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For Younger Children
The invisible string
by Patrice Karst
ISBN: 978-0316486231
For Everyone
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Seeds of Hope Bereavement and Loss Activity Book
by Caroline Jay
ISBN: 9781849055468
For Teenagers
Still Here with Me: Teenagers and Children on Losing a Parent
by Suzanne Sjöqvist
ISBN: 9781843105015
For Teenagers
Sad Book
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By Michael Rosen
ISBN: 9781843108153
For Younger Children
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Sad Isn't Bad
By Michaelene Mundy
ISBN: 9780870293214
Support ideas
Create a Memory box,
A memory box is a container that holds special things belonging to you. It might include photos, some favourite music, letters, or a recorded message. These objects and messages can help remind your children or loved ones of happy times you spent together and offer them some comfort. It can be a useful way to pass on memories and could be made with any loved one in mind, not just your children.
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Planting Trees or Flowers
It is a warm and moving way of keeping a lost loved one's memory alive and creates a tranquil place to visit and treasure the happy memories.
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