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.
