How Surviving Parents (or other adults) Can Help

• talk about the deceased with the child

• provide the child with opportunities to participate in memorializing activities (i.e. telling stories about deceased, continuing to celebrate the birthday of deceased, etc.)

• give the child mementos of the deceased

• be alert to the child's feelings about the deceased

• help the child to find language to express feelings

• show the child their respect for the deceased, and for the child's relationship to the deceased

• use humor to lighten the pain of loss when thinking about the deceased

Reference: Nickman, S.L., Silverman, P.R., & Normand, C., (1998). Children's construction of a deceased parent: the surviving parent's contribution. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68, 126-134.