Supporting a Bereaved
Child or Young Person
It’s OK to Talk
We may wish to protect children and young people by not talking with them about the death or the deceased. However, by not talking or allowing children or young people to have information can leave them feeling confused, isolated, or rejected.
It’s OK to Choose
Allowing a child or young person to choose how they would like to be involved, or not involved, in practical issues arising from a bereavement can then enable them to express their feelings and thoughts about what has happened and their feelings and thoughts about loss and the deceased.
This can include decisions about funeral arrangements, decisions relating to viewing the deceased and attending the funeral, and decisions about what happens after the funeral.
Please be aware that information may need repeating to allow a child or young person to develop a more complete understanding of death and their grief as they pass through each developmental point.
It’s OK to Be
Whilst children and young people are navigating their grief it is important to remember they are still children and young people and to behave as such.
This means children may still want to play as they did before their bereavement, or young people may still want to be gaming with friends or going out as they used to.
There is no right or wrong way for children and young people to grieve. Also, it is important to remember each child or young person is different, including siblings.
As adults we naturally want to protect children and young people from the pain that is felt after death for we know only too well how unbearable that pain can be at times.
The Swing Client
