The impact of death in the life of a child is devastating. From the day their parent, grandparent, brother or sister dies, everything changes. Nothing is ever the same again. The death is often just the first of many changes that will turn the child's life upside down. When a child has a loved one die, they feel as if a part of them is gone. They feel as if a part of their world has disappeared.
Kids grieve in small pieces at a time. They can't process it all at once. They approach it, feel it, take it in and then go do something totally different. They'll come back again for another dose of grieving when they're ready.
Following the death of a loved one, kids will have a lot of questions. Being available to hear their questions is more important than having the answers.
Although grieving is a highly individualized experience, experts say support with the many physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of the grieving process can help children and adolescents to cope.
Children grieve differently from adults. The Highmark Caring Place knows how to help children who are grieving the loss of a loved one. See Highmark Caring Place videos on the Jennifer TV show website.
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