Children & Grief | Inner Sojourn

Supporting Grieving Children

I AM GRIEVING

I AM SUPPORTING SOMEONE GRIEVING

Free Inner Sojourn Created Resources

(Reading Materials, Worksheets, Diary Prompts & More)

Holding Space - The Art of Helping

I am sure you have heard the words “holding space” but what does it truly mean? Holding space for someone is to be supportive and present, without judgment or opinion. It is something easier said than done. It means listening. Allowing the person to share their feelings and thoughts without fixing or the need to respond. It includes practicing empathy and compassion accepting someone’s truths, no matter what they may be. Putting your needs and opinions aside, and allowing them to just be. And remember… it takes practice.

Serious Illness and Before Loss

The 5 C’s of Children’s with loved one’s with serious illness or death.
1. Did I cause it?
2. Can I catch it?
3. Could I have cured it?
4. Who is going to care for me?
5. How will I stay connected to them?

**Me and My Illness - Activity Book (Canadian Virtual Hospice)

**Canadian Virtual Hospice

Livingoutloud.life Living with advanced illness - young adults and teens

**My Life Their Illness Activity Book (Canadian Virtual Hospice)

**Caring Together.Life For Parents with a child with a serious illness, pregnancy, infant loss (Canadian Virtual Hospice)

Talking with Children about Serious Illness (Canadian Virtual Hospice)

**Your Conversation Starter - Guide For Caregivers of a Child with Serious Illness (The Conversation Project)

The Conversation Project Website (info, videos ++)

Not If But When - Books for young people about death and loss

Books

The Private Worlds of Dying Children by Myra Bluebond-Langner

Everyone Dies (and Yes, It is Normal) by Marianne Matzo, PhD, FAAN and Darlene Domanik

Scarlet Says Goodbye by Christine Thompson

The Tunnel and the Light by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

On Children and Death by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Movies and Videos that Explore Death, Loss and Grief

Movies
Charlie St. Cloud
We Bought a Zoo

Children Movies About Death & Dying
Soul
Coco

Grief Feels Like ...

When Families Grieve

After The Loss

The 5 C’s of Children’s with loved one’s with serious illness or death.
1. Did I cause it?
2. Can I catch it?
3. Could I have cured it?
4. Who is going to care for me?
5. How will I stay connected to them?

Supporting a Child Through Grief

**Canadian Virtual Hospice Kidgrief.ca

**Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Teens

**Canadian Virtual Hospice Youthgrief.ca

**Children and Youth Grief Network

Winston’s Wish Book

**Bereavement Ontario Network

**Bereaved Families of Ontario

Liana Lowenstein – Child Trauma Therapist Articles for Parents

Nightengale Centre for Children, Youth & families (Guelph)

Andrea Warnick Consulting Resources, Counselling Education & Support

Lighthouse – Grieving Children & Families

National Alliance For Children’s Grief

The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada

Transitions LifeCare Resources for Teens and children

Seasons Centre for Grieving Children

The Children’s Grief Foundation of Canada

Rainbow
Peer support programs for children, teens and adults who have experienced a separation, divorce, death or other painful transition within their family.

Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children

SLAPD – Social media for teens who have lost a parent to find hope and connection through shared experiences.

Lighthouse Grief Support (Toronto) Virtual & In person

** Resilient Parenting for Bereaved Families

Homicide

Parents of Murdered Children

The Compassionate Friends Peer support for loss of a child

Parents of Murdered Children National Organization

Winston’s Wish Death Through Homicide

Dougy Center Supporting Children & Teens After a Murder or Violent Death

Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children Grant

Grief Speaks
Supporting Children & Teens After a Homicide or Murder

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Helping Your Child After a FAmily Homicide Loss

Downloadable Information

Preparing Children for Funerals & Memorials (Andrea Warnick)

My Feeling Faces

Feeling Wheel

Grief and Incarcerated Family Member

My Feeling Faces
My Brother Is Away by Sarah Greenwood ~ This children’s book is about a young girl whose brother is in prison.

MAiD

Talking To Children About MAiD (Fraser Health)

**Medical Assistance in Dying – Activity Book (Canadian Virtual Hospice)

Talking To Children About MAiD (Canadian Virtual Hospice) Videos and more

Special Niche Areas

Grief & Bereavement Resources for People with Autism

Canadian Cancer Society – Talking with Children

ALS Canada

Helping Children Cope – Parents Guide

Talking With Young People

When Someone Special has ALS

When Your Parent Has ALS

Books

Recommended Books for Children & Parents Version 4 (Updated May 12, 2023)

Activity Books

Cory Helps Kids Cope with Grief by Liana Lowenstein

Canadian Cancer Society – Talking with Children

Ready to Remember – Jeremy’s Journey of Hope and Healing
The Story of Jeremy, a boy suffering from Childhood Traumatic Grief. (CTG, a violent or unexpected death, such as an accident, natural disaster, homicide, suicide)

Kai's Journey (New York Life Foundation)

PDF Books to Download

Videos

**Canadian Virtual Hospice Video Series

– Children & Grief KidsGrief Q & A Series
– Children & Grief videos for those working with kids
– and more!!

Pet Loss

After The Death of a Companion Animal Dougy Centre

Books
See recommended book list above for pet loss books.

The Invisible Leash

Noteable Podcasts and Articles

Ask Doctor Death EP 33: Dr. Korie Leigh – Helping Children Manage Grief and Loss

Disrupting Death Pajama party at a funeral home! Painting a coffin in a schoolyard! In this episode, Cynthia Clark talks about how she “included, consulted and considered” her children in the process of her husband’s medically assisted death.

Talk Death; Talking to Toddlers and Young Children About Death

Support Groups and Camps

Summer Grief Camps for kids – Camp Skein

Tender Hearts – David Kessler Online Group – Fee for use

Summer Grief Camps for kids – Camp Erin

Bereaved Families of Ontario

Clinicians and Educators

Canadian Virtual Hospice (Courses and Conferences)

Andrea Warnick Consulting (Education and Counselling)

Sick Kid, Garry Hurvitz Centre for Community Mental Health (Children’s grief and bereavement certificate program)

BON Education & Resources

Liana Lowenstein – Child Trauma Therapist (Resources, Articles & more)

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (Conversation training – children

OTHER RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE HELP

Crisis Services Canada

Kid's Help Line 24-hour crisis line: 1-800-688-6868

CALL or TEXT 988
Canada’s suicide crisis helpline.
Support via phone or text 24 hours a day

In Canada Text “Connect” to 686868

If it is an emergency
Call 911
or go to your nearest Emergency Department

For Immediate Help

CALL or TEXT 988
Canada’s suicide crisis helpline 24 hrs a day

In Canada Text “Connect” to 686868

Kid’s Help Line 1-800-688-6868 24 hrs

If it is an emergency
Call 911
or go to your nearest Emergency Department