What is Children’s Grief Awareness Day?

• Children’s Grief Awareness Day is observed the Thursday before Thanksgiving every year.
• Children’s Grief Awareness Day is a day focused on bringing to mind the children all around us who have experienced the death of a loved one—children who typically feel very alone in the journey of grief they travel.
• Children’s Grief Awareness Day is an opportunity to let grieving children know that they’re not forgotten in the midst of their grief.
  
• Before they graduate from high school, one child out of every 20 children will have a parent die—and that number doesn't include those who experience the death of a brother or sister, a close grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or friend.
  

1. Grief is a natural and normal response to death.

2. Every person’s grief is unique.

3. Grief is not a disease.

4. Grief is a lifelong process that changes with time.

5. Children grieve differently than adults.

6. Children of different ages grieve differently.

7. Many adults who had lost a parent when they were young describe the death as the defining

moment of their lives.

8. Grieving children and adults need support.

9. We grieve because we love.

10. Grieving children and adults don’t “just get over it” but they can learn to integrate the death

(the absence of the one they love) into their lives.

Next week the Highmark Caring Place will host Virtual Children’s Grief Awareness Day! The event will stream on their YouTube channel all day on Thursday, November 16. Tune in at www.youtube.com/HighmarkCaringPlace and join organizations and individuals from across the country as we honor grieving children and learn more about supporting those who are grieving.

• Activities for Kids and Teens
• Author Readings
• Tools & Resources for Caregivers
• Stories of Hope
• SPECIAL Grief Talks Webinar
• Special Guest Speakers
• Virtual Illuminating Hope Mosaic Mural Reveal
• AND MORE!

Someone you know has experienced the death of a loved one. You want to help, but you aren’t sure how. What do you say? What do you do? How can you help a grieving friend?

BE THERE

Be there to listen if they want to talk about a person who died.

Be there to sit with them even when they don’t feel like talking.

Be there to offer a hug when they need it.

Be there to visit, call, send an e-mail, a text message or a card.

Be there and just be yourself.

Do Say:

“I’m sad to hear that your husband/wife/child died.”

“If you want to talk about what happened, I am here to listen.”

“Tell me about _________” (the person who died—and use their name).

“I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.”

“I don’t know what to say, but I want you to know I am here if you need a friend.”

Avoid Saying:

“I know how you feel.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way.”

Any cliche like: “Time heals all wounds.”—”He’s in a better place.”—

“You’ll be OK.”

“Be Positive.”

“It’s time to put it behind you.”

Remember, what you say is not as important as just being there. There is no way to make it “better” for your grieving family member or friend. What most people who are grieving need is someone to be there who will listen and will not judge them.

Middle or High School Students and Teachers/Staff -

If you let me know you have shared Children's Grief Awareness Day on your social media...you just might win a prize!

You can share HOPE with grieving children from around the world—and right in your own neighborhood—by sharing a photo of you and HOPE and using #childgriefday. We want everyone to share why Children's Grief Awareness Day is important to them. Take a photo, share it, and let others know why this cause is important to you.

• Take a photo of you holding on to HOPE. Write a message In memory of…, In honor of…, In support of…, From…, or any other message that you want to share.
• Share the image on your social networks—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or wherever you are. Use #childgriefday. Or post it to the Children's Grief Awareness Day Facebook page.

Website: childrensgriefawarenessday.org
Phone: 866-212-4673
Facebook: facebook.com/childgriefday
Twitter: @childgriefday