TOPIC

Death or Loss of a Child



The death or loss of a child—at any age—is one of the most painful experiences imaginable, causing deep grieving, devastation, and often an intense feeling of emptiness. A child’s death seems antagonistic to the natural process of life, and it is sometimes perceived as the ultimate tragedy. Many parents experience a crisis of faith at the death of their child, wondering how their worldview can accommodate such deep pain and unfairness. Many normal condolences seem insufficient, and parents frequently feel that others can have no understanding of their experience. To compound their isolation, the tragedy of child death can feel overwhelming to those near to the child’s family, causing them to distance themselves. For these reasons, support groups and resources from other grieving parents have proven especially effective in finding a way to work through this immeasurable suffering.

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An Open Letter to Parents Who Have Lost a Child

Healing is not on a timetable.

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FindCenterThere is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort.

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05:53

Losing a Child | My Journey Through Grief

Even if you've been raised by wolves, at some point you will experience grief. It's natural. Losing a child, however, is not.

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Beyond Tears: Living After Losing a Child (Revised Edition)

Beyond Tears is written by nine mothers who have each lost a child. This revised edition includes a new chapter written from the perspective of surviving siblings.

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Grieving the Loss of a Child: The Five Stage Myth

Numbness, not denial, is often a parent's first feeling.

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FindCenterLove and a sense of calmness are the only things you need to bring to the experience of death.

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01:18:21

Bearing the Unbearable: Grieving the Loss of a Child—with Guest Speaker Dr Joanne Cacciatore

Join Dr Jo Cacciatore, sharing her reflections on love, loss and the heart-breaking path of grief for a child. Hosted by The Compassionate Friends, UK on 4 May 2021.

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Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation

On the day her first book came out―a new translation of “Dark Night of the Soul” by Saint John of the Cross―Mirabai Starr’s daughter, Jenny, was killed in a car accident. “My spiritual life began the day my daughter died,” writes Mirabai.

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7 Things I Have Learned Since the Loss of My Child

Child loss is a loss like no other. One often misunderstood by many. If you love a bereaved parent or know someone who does, remember that even his or her “good” days are harder than you could ever imagine. Angela Miller is an internationally known ​writer and speaker on grief and loss.

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02:18

Dealing with Sudden Death or the Loss of a Child

"Dealing with Sudden Death or the Loss of a Child", is taken from Linda Kavelin-Popov's November 2012 Book Launch for Graceful Endings: Navigating the Journey of Loss and Grief. This special talk was recorded at ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island, on November 11, 2012.

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WHAT MIGHT HELP

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The information offered here is not a substitute for professional advice. Please proceed with care and caution.

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