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Children mature at different rates and their understanding and responses to bereavement are likely to be based as much on their experience of life as on their chronological age.
It is important to remember that children will be grieving for life and the loss will always be with them. Children may need to look again at the details surrounding the death of an important person in their lives as they grow older. Feelings they had when young will be different several years further on as their understanding matures and the meaning of the death changes as they move through life. This is not unresolved grief but the experience of different feelings later in life, often connected to major life events such as switching classes, moving up to senior school or other significant change.
People are often at a loss as to know what to say or do to help a child who has been bereaved by the death of someone important to them. Every situation is different, and children will be affected to a greater or lesser degree, dependent on the circumstances of the death and the nature of the relationship they had with the person who has died.
Bereaved children in primary school need the stability of a familiar routine with caring adults. Read more
Information for a bereaved family with a child in primary school. Read more
Being alongside anyone experiencing a loss can be emotionally draining, but supporting a bereaved child, particularly so. The need for support yourself is not a sign of an inability to cope or of professional incompetence, but a recognition that everyone needs help to carry out this demanding role. Read more
A school with a bereavement policy is prepared and has plans in place to deal with death, grief and bereavement. This applies to supporting a bereaved pupil or member of staff as well as reacting to a critical incident or tragedy, such as the death of someone within the school community. Read more
A free to download resource offering guidance, support and information when a death occurs in the school community or when a school is facing an expected death. Read more
Books can be used to introduce death and grief to children; they can also be used to help bereaved children to feel less alone and make sense of confusing and sad emotions. Read more