Resources
Did You Know? Parental Death Benefit
A child whose parent has died may be eligible for a monthly Social Security benefit through the age of 18. Learn more here.
Grief is hard. These resources will help you understand what you and your children are feeling. There are conversations and activities that can help.
There are a wealth of websites and organizations that provide free information and resources about coping with grief, understanding grief in children and adolescents, and how to support grieving families. There are also reading lists featuring books for different ages that explore grief and loss, links to free family activity kits and videos, and links to online platforms where families and teens can connect with others with similar losses. Also, if you are a friend of a family or child who is grieving, we link to some good articles below that discuss support strategies.
Looking for local resources?
Click here to find community resources across Kentucky for many kinds of loss
National Organizations Supporting Grieving Youth and Families:
Toolkits and FAQ Resources for Parents/Caregivers/Adults:
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After A Loved One Dies: How Children Grieve and How Adults Can Support
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Booklets and Handouts for Parents/Caregivers (in English & Spanish)
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Eluna Resource Center for Activities, FAQs, and Caregiver Guides
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Supporting Children after the Overdose Death of a Family Member
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Talking with Kids About a Death from Addiction/Substance Use
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Supporting Children and Teens When Someone Dies From Substance Use
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Sibling Grief: Supporting Children After the Loss of a Sibling
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Childhood Traumatic Grief: Information for Parents and Caregivers
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Talking With Children and Teens About a Murder or Violent Death
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Resources for Kinship Carers and Foster Families Dealing with Grief and Separation Responses
Books/Activity Sets:
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When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief (Marge Heegaard)
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How I Feel: A Coloring Book for Grieving Children (Center for Loss)
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Companioning the Grieving Child: A Soulful Guide for Caregivers (Center for Loss)
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Healing a Child's Grieving Heart Set or Teen Set (Center for Loss)
Preschool-Aged Children's Grief Resources and Activities:
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Sesame Street Video for Parents/Caregivers of Grieving Children
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When Difficult Things Happen, produced by the Fred Rogers Center
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Talking to Children About Difficult Things in the News, Fred Rogers Center
General Grief Support and Coping Resources:
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Learning About Grief (also offers online groups for adults)
Teen Resources:
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SLAP'D (Surviving Life After a Parent Dies, a resource for teens)
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Grief Sucks: Resources and Connection For and By Teens With Loss
For Kinship Caregivers:
Helping Children and Youth Cope After Natural Disasters:
Children and Funerals and Memorial Services:
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Tips for Caregivers on How to Talk With and Involve Children and Youth
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Preparing Children for Funerals: https://www.highmarkcaringplace.com/cp2/grief/brochures.shtml
Resources for Grieving Parents/Caregivers:
Scholarships and College Resources for Bereaved Students:
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Kinship/Grandfamilies and the FAFSA (College Financial Aid Application)
How to Support Others Who Are Grieving:
Grief and the Holidays:
Recursos de apoyo para el duelo en español:
Supporting children and adolescents when a family member has an advanced serious illness, The Dougy Center
Supporting children and adolescents after a suicide death, The Dougy Center
Supporting grieving preschool children, The Dougy Center
Tips for supporting bereaved children, The Dougy Center
Tips for supporting a grieving teen, The Dougy Center
Tips for supporting teens after the death of a close friend, The Dougy Center
Responding to Change and Loss, National Alliance for Grieving Children Activity Booklet