Children & Family Grief
Resources for helping children cope with loss, family grief support, and age-appropriate guidance.
About Children & Family Grief
Children grieve differently than adults, often moving in and out of grief while playing and living. Family grief support helps children process loss in developmentally appropriate ways while supporting the entire family unit.
Supporting Children Through Grief:
- • Age-appropriate communication - Honest, simple explanations
- • Creative expression - Art, play, and storytelling
- • Routine & stability - Maintaining normalcy and safety
- • Family grief counseling - Healing together as a unit
💙 Children's grief is real and deserves the same compassion and support as adult grief.
Children's Grief Organizations
The Dougy Center
Leading children's grief support center providing peer support groups nationwide.
National Alliance for Grieving Children
Network connecting children and families to local grief support programs and resources.
Children Grieve Too
Nonprofit supporting grieving children and families through education and outreach.
Moment House
Children's grief support center offering camps, groups, and family programs.
Kids Grief Canada
Canadian organization providing grief education and support for children and families.
Books for Children
Dougy Center Book List
Expertly curated age-appropriate grief books for children from trusted grief center.
The Invisible String
Beautiful picture book helping children understand love's connection transcends separation.
When Dinosaurs Die
Gentle guide helping children understand death and grief with honesty and reassurance.
The Memory Box
Touching story showing children how to treasure memories after losing someone special.
Tear Soup
Metaphorical story helping all ages understand and process grief through cooking imagery.
Teens & Young Adults
Compassionate Friends Teen Support
Online community and resources specifically for grieving teenagers and young adults.
Experience Camps
Free transformative summer camps for grieving children who have lost a parent or sibling.
Comfort Zone Camp
Free bereavement camps helping children and teens cope with loss in supportive environment.
Eluna Bereavement Camps
Network of camps providing support programs for children facing serious illness or grief.
Child Loss Support for Parents
The Compassionate Friends
National organization supporting families after death of a child at any age.
MEND
Supporting parents through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss with compassionate care.
SHARE
Pregnancy and infant loss support serving families through grief and healing.
First Candle
SIDS and infant loss support providing grief resources and advocacy for families.
MISS Foundation
Compassionate support for families grieving the death of a child at any age.
Sibling Loss Support
Compassionate Friends Sibling Support
Dedicated resources and community for children and adults grieving sibling loss.
Siblings Support Project
Supporting siblings of children with special health, developmental, or mental health needs.
Sibling Grief Resources
Understanding and supporting children grieving the loss of a brother or sister.
Talking to Children About Death
Dougy Center Guidance
Expert advice on supporting grieving children with age-appropriate honesty and care.
Sesame Street Grief Toolkit
Free videos, activities, and guides helping young children understand loss and grief.
Child Mind Institute
Evidence-based guidance helping children process grief and navigate difficult emotions.
APA: Talking to Kids About Death
American Psychological Association's expert recommendations for discussing death with children.
Supporting Grieving Children
Children grieve differently than adults. These principles can help you provide supportive, age-appropriate care:
- Be Honest: Use clear, simple language. Avoid euphemisms like "passed away" or "went to sleep."
- Allow Expression: Children may show grief through play, art, or behavior changes rather than words.
- Maintain Routines: Consistent schedules provide stability and security during uncertain times.
- Answer Questions: Respond honestly at their developmental level. It's okay to say "I don't know."
- Include Them: Let children participate in memorials and rituals in age-appropriate ways if they choose.
- Watch for Changes: Grief may appear as school struggles, sleep issues, or behavioral changes.