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Supporting children and young people through loss and bereavement

The following organisations have developed guidance on supporting bereaved children and young people:

Cruse

Child Bereavement UK

Childhood Bereavement Network

Edwards Trust

The Good Grief Trust

Grief Encounter

Children and young people will experience all kinds of losses throughout their life, from losing a tooth, loss of childhood through puberty, social loss of friendship groups, the death of a pet, to the death of a grandparent, parent, sibling, carer or peer group friend.

The death of a parent or other significant person, and loss of attachment, can be a threat to a child’s whole life and it is important they know that life will continue in some way.

Children experience a range of emotions and express their grief in different ways.  An adolescent’s grief may be more hidden and could take time to surface or be displayed by anger.

What can I do to help?

  • Be led by the child or young person
  • Put yourself in the shoes of the bereaved, listen without judgement and consider that their behaviour may be a way of them communicating their current emotions.
  • Let them know that it is fine to feel angry, to cry, to sob or to be silent as grief takes many forms, that all of these emotions are normal in grief, that grief continues after the funeral and that we all have different reactions when someone that we know dies.
  • Help the person to manage their emotions and feelings so that they do not feel overwhelmed. Support them to express their emotions in manageable ways.
  • Take care of yourself – notice your own emotions and seek support if you feel overwhelmed yourself.

Support available in Dudley borough

The What Centre

Dudley Council bereavement information and support

Mary Stevens Hospice Patient and Family Support Team offer information, signposting and support. Advice line number: 01384 445417.  Email:PAFSS@marystevenshospice.co.uk

Dudley Public Health –  CYPTeam@dudley.gov.uk

Further advice and support

Children’s Understanding of Death at Different Ages

How Children & Young People Grieve

What Helps Grieving Children and Young People

Supporting Bereaved Children Under 5 Years of Age

When Someone Special Dies Leaflet – For Children Under 7

When Someone Special Dies Leaflet – For Children 7-11 Years Old

When Someone Special Dies Leaflet – For Young People

Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People with Additional Needs Through Grief

Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Information for Schools only