Booklet to help children in loss and grief published for use by South East Palliative Care Centre

A booklet aimed at helping children understand and respond to the death of a loved one is now available and in use at the South East Palliative Care Centre.

Titled “Talking to Children about a Funeral” and published with the support of the Waterford Hospice Movement, the booklet explains how children comprehend and react differently to loss and grief, depending on their age, developmental stage and relationship to the deceased.

“Talking to Children about a Funeral” emphasises that children’s grief is individual and that avoiding conversations about death can be unhelpful.

The message is that honest, age-appropriate communication supports healthy grieving.

Speaking about the publication of the booklet, Senior Medical Social Worker with the South East Palliative Care Centre Aoife Troy says:

“We are delighted, following conversations with our partners in the Waterford Hospice Movement, that ‘Talking to Children about a Funeral’ was produced. It will be a resource in how we identify typical grief responses and signs of distress across developmental stages from early childhood to adolescence. It provides guidance for caregivers on how to respond with reassurance, consistency, openness, and emotional availability.”

“The first half of the booklet highlights the importance of explaining death clearly, allowing children to express feelings in their own way and recognising that grief may be expressed through behaviour, play, or regression rather than words only.”

“The second half of the booklet focuses on funerals and saying goodbye, stressing that involvement in funeral rituals can be an important part of a child’s grieving process. It encourages caregivers to prepare children by explaining what will happen at a funeral, offering choices rather than forcing participation and reassuring them that a range of emotions is normal. Practical guidance is provided for before and during funerals, including preparing children for what they may see, ensuring trusted support is available and allowing them to leave if overwhelmed.”

“It is also outlined in ‘Talking to Children about a Funeral’ as to how funerals can help children feel included, supported and comforted. It provides simple, therapeutic activities such as memory sharing, goodbye letters and creative keepsakes to help children process loss and maintain a meaningful connection to the person who has died.”