Bereavement Support

The Patient and Family Support Team also provides a bereavement care service, which is available for relatives and friends from the day after a death (when family members are invited back to the hospice) and in the weeks and months ahead.
It is normal to feel totally consumed by feelings of grief following a death. The many stages of grief including sadness, anger, regret, relief, and loneliness can be compounded if the person is unprepared for the death. Our team of skilled Bereavement Counsellors and Bereavement Volunteers are here to help you through your grieving and be alongside you.

PARENT AND CHILDRENS BEREAVEMENT CARE.

The Bereavement Support Service offers a range of professional skills to support you as parents when someone close to you has died.

It is important to begin by acknowledging that supporting a bereaved child is not an easy task and as adults it can make us feel helpless and inadequate.

We also recognise that it can be extremely hard to find the extra emotional energy you need to help your child through the experience of bereavement, when you too are grieving.
For these reasons, you may find it helpful to talk with a professional about your concerns.

The natural reaction you have as a parent is to want to protect your child from pain, however when children are encouraged to ask questions and express their feelings, they are more able to cope with their grief. Children learn through observing their parents, and it will help them to be able to talk and grieve with you.

Talking about what has happened

Be as honest and as open as possible using language your child can understand. Your child might want to talk about their fears of losing other loved ones, or about dying themselves. They might need reassurance that they were not responsible for the death of their loved one.

If a child does not want to talk, it is ok to let them be until they are ready. Sometimes however, it is all they want to talk about.

Children need……

To be included in family events –– they learn to grieve by watching adults and sharing with them in their grief.
To be able to grieve in their own unique way.
To have space and time to grieve just like adults.
To be able to say goodbye to the person who has died.

Sharing the sadness

There are many ways to share with your child. Try to create a safe place for your child where you are both comfortable.
Let them know that they are not alone, and that you too are sad.
Encourage your child to express their feelings, even the difficult ones.
Talk about the person who has died, remembering the good and bad times.
Grief comes and goes, help your child to take up fun activities again as they might feel guilty about doing so.

If you would like to come and see us please contact the Bereavement Support Team on 01273 273400.