Grief and Bereavement Resources for Children

Losing a loved one is hard enough when you are an adult and understand the concepts of life and its inevitable conclusion. But death and loss can be an even more mysterious and confusing process for children and teenagers. Below is a list of resources to help caregivers provide support to children and teenagers who are navigating grief and loss.

Books:

The Invisible String – Book by Patrice Karst

• The Invisible String is a captivating story in which the mother uses an “invisible string” to share with her children how they are connected to others even when they are apart.
• The Invisible String is most useful for children between the ages of 4 and 10.
• This resource can be appropriate for any grief or bereavement situation. It is a great resource for children coping with any kind of separation, whether that be temporary, in their daily lives, or the death of a loved one.
• The Invisible String can be utilized when working with families, and even more specifically, when working with siblings. The book teaches children how they can continue to feel connected to a loved one who has passed. While dealing with this type of grief, the book can be utilized to teach children how they can continue to be connected to their siblings.
• Suggested Activity: Take a string–which is a visualization of connection. Attach the string to a picture of the sibling or family member lost.