There are few tragedies more devastating than the death of a child. When parents lose their child, it is hard to imagine how they will ever cope with the loss and find peace again, especially if they don’t have family and friends who support them through their pain. If you’re caring for grieving parents, it can be difficult to know what to do to help them feel better, whether you just want to know what you can do for them or if you’re concerned about saying the wrong thing and making things worse.
What do grieving parents need?
When a parent loses a child, it is important for others to remember that they are not alone in their loss. In addition to medical and legal support, other people will want to help in any way they can. What do grieving parents need? Supportive family and friends who understand what they are going through.
When someone loses a child, they often feel overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, anger, and sadness. Memorial ideas they may also have very different feelings about their own lives now. Whatever their reaction to losing a child is, it’s important to remind them that they’re not alone in what they are feeling and going through. Everyone reacts differently, but most people find that getting support from others is an important step on their road to recovery.
How to be supportive
Show up. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, but don’t pry. Express your love for them, especially if you are close to their child. Don’t lecture or tell them what they should do. If you find yourself thinking what I would do if I were in their situation is… stop right there! You aren’t in their situation and it could come across as insensitive or manipulative to tell them what they should do – just be there and let them lead when they are ready to talk about things like planning a funeral or memories about their child.
The importance of help
When someone close to you dies, your grief and sadness can be overwhelming. It’s normal to feel like no one understands what you’re going through. And it can be hard to ask for help when you’re grieving because it forces you to confront what you’re really feeling. But it’s important for parents who are mourning a child to get support from family and friends, as well as professional counselors who can help them work through their grief. Friends and loved ones who don’t have any experience with losing a child may not know how to act around those that are grieving. Most people mean well, but they may not know how much or how little they should say or do. If you find yourself not knowing what to say, try to show love and support through acts of kindness such as cooking dinner, helping with errands, and even house chores. If you’re in a different state, sending them a gift such as Laurelbox’s bereaved mother gifts is a way to show your loved one that they are being thought of.
It is important to remember that while there is no road map for how to be supportive during a time of loss, there are guidelines we can follow to support grieving parents. We may not be able to take away their pain, but we can show them we care about their child and about them. For those who have lost a child, I offer my sincerest condolences. Know that your child lives on in your hearts and will never be forgotten. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one, please reach out for help by contacting your local grief center.
