Dealing with the death of a child is an incredibly difficult experience, and finding the right resources can help provide comfort, guidance, and understanding during this painful time. Modern resources for those coping with pediatric death are designed not just for immediate support, but also for long-term healing. They are built with sensitivity to grief, emotional trauma, and the need for ongoing care.
It’s important to remember that grief is a deeply individual journey, and while these resources can provide support, there is no “right way” to grieve. Parents and caregivers often find solace in combining various types of resources, whether it’s professional counseling, online communities, or personal rituals. Grief is not linear, and it’s okay to take your time to find the healing methods that work best for you.
Books on Grief and Healing
“It’s OK That You’re Not OK” by Megan Devine
This book is an empathetic guide to grieving, particularly for parents or individuals dealing with the death of a loved one, including children. It emphasizes that grief doesn’t follow a prescribed path and encourages healthy acknowledgment of grief without judgment.
“The Broken Body” by James F. Lewis
Focused on grief counseling, this book offers practical and psychological support for people coping with the death of a child. It presents the emotional toll of loss in clear terms and offers therapeutic insights into how people can begin to heal.
“When a Child Dies from Cancer: A Guide to Grieving” by Linda M. Newson
Specifically for parents who have lost a child to cancer, this book provides clear, structured guidance on navigating grief, offering emotional and practical coping strategies.
Therapeutic Resources
Grief Support Groups (In-Person or Virtual)
Many hospitals, pediatric oncology centers, or community organizations run specialized grief support groups for parents who have lost children. These spaces allow for shared experiences and the exchange of emotional support.
- The Compassionate Friends offers peer-led grief support groups for parents and families who have lost children of any age.
- Lifeline for Grief offers both local and virtual grief support resources, where parents can connect with others who have experienced similar losses.
Therapists and Counselors Specializing in Grief
- GriefShare provides groups and a network of grief therapists.
- Look for licensed therapists who specialize in trauma informed grief counseling or complicated grief.
- Some websites, like Therapists Near Me or Psychology Today, have filters that let you search specifically for those with expertise in grief, trauma, and pediatric loss.
Online Support Platforms
Soaring Spirits International
This nonprofit offers grief support to individuals who have lost loved ones, with a specific section for those who have lost children. It provides online forums, mentorship, and retreats that focus on healing through peer connection.
Website: soaringspirits.org
Modern Loss
This platform provides online articles, personal stories, and a community for anyone grieving, including those who have lost children. It covers a variety of grief-related topics, from initial shock to ongoing healing, and provides practical advice and emotional support.
Website: modernloss.com
My Grief Angels
An online platform that connects those who are grieving to peer support through one-on-one mentorship and group chats.
Website: mygriefangels.org
Online Communities & Social Media
Instagram & TikTok
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have growing communities where individuals share their personal stories of grief and loss. Many accounts are devoted to topics of child loss, offering an informal space to process grief while connecting with others. Some popular hashtags to explore include #griefjourney, #pediatricloss, and #childloss.
Reddit’s Grief Support Communities
Subreddits like r/GriefSupport and r/ChildLoss are moderated communities where people share their grief experiences and provide mutual support in a judgment-free space.
Nonprofit Organizations & Foundations
The Elizabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation
The foundation supports the study of grief and offers resources on the grieving process, particularly for those dealing with terminal illness or loss. They provide educational materials, articles, and information on stages of grief.
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
For families dealing with pediatric cancer, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation provides a variety of resources, including grief support services.
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
Candlelighters offers grief support to families who have lost children to cancer, including financial, emotional, and therapeutic resources.
Memory-Making and Rituals
The Art of Dying Well
A modern resource focused on helping people face end-of-life with dignity, this website has sections on supporting children through terminal illness, and how to cope with grief when a child dies.
Memory Boxes and Journals
Many grieving parents find solace in creating memory boxes or journals. Websites like Hope for the Flowers and A Simple Thank You offer customizable keepsakes, memory kits, and journals designed to help parents memorialize their children.
Grief Recovery Method
The Grief Recovery Method offers structured approaches to addressing the emotional pain of grief, which includes tools for memorialization, moving through grief, and acknowledging pain.
Mindfulness and Meditation Resources
The Mindful Griever: A Meditation Practice for Healing After Loss by David Kessler
This book offers mindfulness practices for those grieving a loss, which can help people regulate the emotional turbulence that comes with loss, especially pediatric death.
Insight Timer App
Insight Timer is a free app that offers thousands of guided meditations, including specific ones for grief. It can be a helpful tool for grounding and self-care during the grieving process.
Podcasts on Grief and Healing
Grief Out Loud
A podcast from The Dougy Center, Grief Out Loud offers conversations on grief, particularly for parents who have lost children. It features guest experts and personal stories.
The Heart of Hospice
This podcast provides stories, reflections, and resources around hospice and the death of a child, helping families through difficult end-of-life transitions.
The Art of Dying Well Podcast
Focused on navigating difficult conversations around death and loss, this podcast offers guidance on preparing for and dealing with death in a holistic and compassionate way.
Charitable Foundations and Fundraising Tools
GoFundMe
For some, fundraising becomes part of the process of healing. Whether for a funeral, creating a legacy, or medical bills, GoFundMe offers easy-to-use tools for parents navigating these logistics while grieving.
Memory Lane by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
This program encourages families to create personal memorials for their children, which can serve as therapeutic outlets for those grieving their loss.