Helping Children Cope With Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
When Someone Loved Dies
Adults grieve. So do children. As an adult or child, experiencing grief means to
"feel," not just to "understand." Anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve.
Even before children are able to talk, they grieve when someone loved dies. And these
feelings about the death become a part of their lives forever.
Caring adults, whether parents, relatives or friends, can help children during this
time. If adults are open, honest and loving, experiencing the loss of someone loved can
be a chance for children to learn about both the joy and the pain that comes from caring
deeply for other people.
Talking About Death to Children
Adult sometimes have trouble facing death themselves. So open, honest discussions about
death with children can be difficult. Yet adults who are able to confront, explore and
learn from their own personal fears about death can help children when someone loved dies.
As a result, children can form " a healthy attitude toward both life and death.
When a death occurs, children need to be surrounded by feelings of warmth, acceptance
and understanding. Caring adults can provide this support.
A Caring Adult's Role
How adults respond when someone loved dies has a major effect on the way children react
to the death. Sometimes, adults don't want to talk about the death, assuming that by doing
so children will be spared some of the pain and sadness.
However, the reality is very simple: children will grieve, anyway.
Adults who are willing to talk openly about the death help children understand
that grief is a natural feeling when someone loved had died. Children need adults
to confirm that it's all right to be sad and to cry, and that the hurt they feel
now won't last forever.
When ignored, children may suffer more from feeling isolated than from the actual
death itself. Worse yet, they feel all alone in their grief.
Encourage Questions About Death
When someone loved had died, adults need to be open, honest and loving. Patiently,
they need to answer questions about the death in language children can understand.
Adults shouldn't worry about having all the answers. The answers aren't as important
as the fact that they're responding to the questions in a way that shows they care.
Children may repeat the same questions about the death again and again. It's natural.
Repeating questions and getting answers helps them understand and adjust to the loss of
someone loved.
Establish a Helping RelationshipM
Respond to children with sensitivity and warmth. Be aware of voice tone; maintain
eye contact when talking about the death. What is communicated without words can be
just as meaningful to children as what is actually said.
Let children know that their feelings will be accepted. Although some of their behavior
may seem inappropriate, adults need to understand children during this stressful time,
not judge their behavior or criticize.
Children need to know that adults want to understand their point of view. This
commitment tells a child, "You're worthwhile; your feelings will be respected."
Sharing Religious Beliefs with a Child
Adults often wonder if they should share with children their religious beliefs
regarding death. This is a complex issue; no simple guidelines are available.
Keep in mind that adults can only share with children those concepts they truly believe.
Any religious explanations about death must also be described in concrete terms; children
have difficulty understanding abstractions. The theological correctness of the information
is less important at this time than the fact that the adult is communicating in a loving
way.
Allow Children to Participate
Create an atmosphere that tells children that their thoughts, fears and wishes
will be recognized when someone loved dies. This recognition includes the right to
be part of planning the arrangements for the funeral.
Although children may not completely understand the ceremony surrounding the death,
being involved in the planning of the funeral helps establish a sense of comfort and
the understanding that life goes on even though someone loved has died.
Since the funeral of someone loved is a significant event, children should have the
same opportunity to attend as any other member of the family. That's "allowed" to attend,
but not "forced." Explain the purpose of the funeral: as a time to honor the person who
has died; as a time to help, comfort and support each other and as a time to affirm that
life goes on.
Viewing the body of someone loved who has died can also be a positive experience.
It provides an opportunity to say "goodbye" and helps children accept the reality of
the death. As with attending the funeral, however, seeing the body should not be forced.
Growing Through Grief
Grief is complex. It will vary from child to child. Caring adults need to communicate
to children that this feeling is not one to be ashamed of or something to hide. Instead,
grief is a natural expression of love for the person who died.
As a caring adult, the challenge is clear: children do not choose between grieving
and not grieving; adults, on the other hand, do have a choice- to help or not to help
children cope with grief.
With love and understanding, adults can guide children through this vulnerable time
and help make the experience a valuable part of a child's personal growth and development.
Suggested Guidelines Concerning Children and Grief
Be a good observer. See how each child is behaving. Don't rush in with explanations.
Usually, it's more helpful to ask exploring questions than to give quick answers.
When someone loved dies, don't expect children's reactions to be obvious and immediate.
Be patient and b e available.
Children are part of the family, too. And reassurance comes from the presence of
loving people. Children feel secure in the care of gentle arms and tenderness.
When describing the death of someone loved to a child, use simple and direct language.
Be honest. Express your own feelings regarding the death. By doing so, children have a
model for expressing their own feelings. It's all right to cry, too.
Allow children to express a full range of feelings. Anger, guilt, despair and protest
are natural reactions to the death of someone loved.
Listen to children, don't just talk to them.
No one procedure or formula will fit all children, either at the time of death or
during the months that follow. Be patient, flexible and adjust to individual needs.
Adults must recognize their own personal feelings about death. Until they consciously
explore their own concerns, doubts, and fears about death, it will be difficult to support
children when someone loved dies.
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