Loss can be incredibly challenging for children to process emotionally. Often, it can be hard to find the support children need, particularly if their caregivers are grieving as well. Below are some resources and organizations that provide services to support grieving children in various ways.Â
Support Groups
Many Children are affected by grief. Children process grief differently than adults, so the following are resources that can help grieving children and those who support them navigate the grieving process.
Foundation for Grieving Children
(For kids, teens, and young adults and families.)
The Foundation for Grieving Children, Inc. / F4GC is the first national public charity specifically designed to raise funds for the benefit of children, teens, young adults and their families following the death of a loved one regardless how they died or were killed. Fill out your contact information and they will reach out to you.
(For Kids, teens, parents, young adults and caregivers)
At Dougy Center, we create safe spaces and free resources for children and families who are grieving. Our pioneering peer grief support model, professional training, and world-renowned programs and advocacy bring hope and healing around the world.
Alliance of Hope For Suicide Loss Survivors
(For suicide loss survivors all ages)
The Alliance of Hope provides healing support for people coping with the shock, excruciating grief, and complex emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one to suicide. We hope that you will find resources here to help you deal with, and eventually heal from, the pain of your loss.
Free Virtual Grief Support Groups
Free Virtual Support Groups for kids and teens of all ages)
Coping With Loss: 115 Helpful Websites on Grief & Bereavement
An incredibly helpful and extensive list dedicated to grief and bereavement counseling. It includes 115 blogs related to grief and loss, resources, care centres, etc.
Children and Teen Grief Support
Grief support center offering family support, group support and summer grief camp services for children of all ages and their families.
Informational Resources
Sesame Workshop is a global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street and so much more. The website offers articles, videos and other resources to help with supporting emotional well-being to promoting positive self-identity while grieving.
There are several videos using the Sesame Street Characters that explain death, dying, and grief to children.
The mission of Eluna is to support children and families impacted by grief or addiction. Our innovative resources and programs address the critical needs of children experiencing powerful, overwhelming and often confusing emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance abuse in their family. No child should have to face these struggles alone, and our unique programs bring kids together to ease their pain and provide the tools to help restore hope.
National Alliance for Grieving Children
The website offers resources for those supporting a child that is grieving. This include group support options, and educational materials.
Camps
Many Children are affected by grief. Children process grief differently than adults, there are camps that bring children who are experiencing grief together. Camp can be a great resources to give your child or teen the support they need to navigate their grief.
Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement organization that transforms the lives of children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, primary caregiver, or significant person. Their programs are free of charge and include trust-building activities and age-based support groups that break the emotional isolation grief often brings.
Comfort Zone’s programs are offered to children ages 7-17, young adult for 18-25-year-olds, and separate parent and guardian programs.
An organization that provides grief support groups, as well as equine psychotherapy. Available to those who need financial assistance and who do not have insurance. Tomorrow’s Rainbow provides free grief support groups for children ages 3 years old through high school and their caregivers. Specialized groups are offered twice monthly and meet year-round.
Organization also offers educational articles for supporting children through loss.
A camp to support grieving children located in New Mexico.
The Children’s Bereavement Network (CBN) is a non-profit organization that sponsors Camp Live, Laugh, Love for children grieving the death of a significant loved one in their life. This camp is FREE! Because of donations from caring people in our communities, there is no cost to you or your child. A caring group of trained professionals and volunteers have come together to help children realize that “IN LIFE THERE IS HOPE”. Located in Northern Michigan.
Camp Erin is the largest network of free weekend-long bereavement camps for kids and teens ages 6-17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Their website provides links and locations for bereavement camps.
Children and Teen Grief Support – OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center
Grief support center offering family support, group support, and summer grief camp services for children of all ages and their families.
Books
Further Resources
The Psychology Today blog is a helpful resource for better understanding how children can emotionally survive the death of a loved one.
A non-profit art & grief organization sharing stories, books and programs for children and teens.
Weathering the Storm: Parenting Grieving Children
A free e-learning course on parenting grieving children
Podcast for teens, supporting and discussing topics of loss and coping with grief.