Children and Teens
Children and teens grieve deeply, but they often grieve differently — in bursts, in play, in silence, and at their own pace. They may not have words for what they feel, and they depend on the adults around them to make grief something they can survive. Helping a young person grieve means telling the truth in ways they can hold, and making room for feelings that come and go without warning. Their grief is real, and it deserves the same care any adult grief receives.
National Resource
The Dougy Center — The National Center for Grieving Children & Families, offering peer support groups and resources for grieving children, teens, and the adults who care for them.
Recommended Reading
Talking with Children About Loss by Maria Trozzi — A wise, practical guide for parents and professionals on how children understand death at different ages — and how to help them grieve without fear or silence.
Listen
Grief Out Loud — The Dougy Center's podcast, made for the adults supporting grieving children and teens — with episodes on how young people grieve and how to show up for them.
Grief & Support
National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG)
National ResourceLooking for support for a grieving child or teen? NACG offers resources and a national searchable directory to help families find childhood-bereavement programs and services near them.
FIND SUPPORT NEAR YOU