Children and Youth Grief Resources
Programs
*As of May 2022, we are not offering any programs for Children or Youth. We have listed other organizations and resources below and hope you will find these helpful.
Organizations Providing Children/Youth Grief Programs
VON – Children’s Bereavement Programs
The Kids’ Circle Program provides supportive care to children and teens aged 4 through 18 who are facing a life-threatening illness themselves, the life-threatening illness of a loved one or experiencing the loss of a loved one. One-to-one support and
group sessions are available.
As of May 2022 we are suggesting that you contact the local VON Bereavement Support Coordinator for your area to inquire about the Kids’ Circle Program. We expect some areas will offer the program in 2022, but that a date has not been determined.
Middlesex-London / Elgin County / Oxford County / Chatham-Kent / Grey Bruce
Website: https://www.von.ca/en/service/childrens-bereavement-program
Bereavement Services General: https://www.von.ca/en/service/bereavement-services
Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice
Located in Hamilton, Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice offers a variety of children & youth groups. As of February 2022, these programs are open to individuals outside of the Hamilton area – although some groups may require a pick up of materials to participate.
Contact Kat Turco for more information for a list of current programs and more information.
Email: [email protected] Phone: 905-387-2448 ext 2205
Website: https://kemphospice.org/services/grief-bereavement-support/support-for-children-family/
Gilda’s Club (Toronto)
Located in Toronto, Gilda’s Club is a cancer support community that, as of March 2022 is offering a variety of bereavement groups for Adults, Youth and Children. Registration is open to individuals outside the Toronto area as space allows.
General Support
Kids Help Phone
A 24/7, national support service. Offers brief professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French. Parents may also call for information and advice.
Website: https://kidshelpphone.ca/
Vanier Children’s Mental Wellness
Offers general support for London-Middlesex including a Crisis & Information Line at 519-433-0334.
Website: https://www.vanier.com/
Webinars
Supporting Children in their Grief Webinar – May 25, 2021
This webinar was a special project prepared and presented by Michaeline Falla, Patricia Carey and Alexa McKinnon with the King’s University College Thanatology Program.
The webinar was not recorded but please click here for the slides and detailed notes.
This information will be helpful to those who are already supporting bereaved children or those who want to explore and learn about this topic.
Support for Caregivers of Bereaved Children – Series of 5 Modules
This series is from Hospice Sarnia. Please click on the image below to visit their You Tube channel and view the videos.
Websites & Online Resources
YouthGrief.Ca
YouthGrief.ca was developed — from content to art to design — by grieving youth, for grieving youth. It shares wisdom, experiences and advice from more than 30 young people who’ve been there, and know what it’s like to grieve when someone you care about has died. Also includes sections for friends of someone grieving, parents, educators and other supporting adults.
Canadian Virtual Hospice
Website: https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home.aspx
Recommended Articles from this website:
Caring for Grieving Children and Youth
Talking with Children and Youth about Death
Understanding Death and Dying – Ages and Stages
Andrea Warnick Consulting
Andrea is based in Guelph, Ontario and offers a variety of resources, with many focused on supporting children and youth in grief.
We suggest the following sections of her website…
Education – includes link to monthly Q&A session, and links to past webinars
Resources – includes links to resources by category
Online Store – offers low cost webinar recordings
Website: https://andreawarnick.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrea.warnick.consulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awc_grief/
Resources for Parents and Caregivers: https://andreawarnick.com/resources/resources-for-parents-and-caregivers/
Resources for Children: https://andreawarnick.com/resources/resources-for-children/
Sesame Street – Helping Kids Grieve
Includes videos, articles, and activity suggestions.
Website: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/grief/
What’s Your Grief
Recommended Article from this website:
Supporting a Grieving Child and The Importance of Modelling
Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre
*Please note that this Centre is closed as of May 28th. Access to the following resources may be limited in the future.
Website & Additional List of Resources: https://drjaychildrensgriefcentre.ca/programs/resources/
Recommended pdf from this website: Supporting Grieving Kids and Teenagers
Child Mind Institute
Recommended articles from this website:
Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Helping Children Deal with Grief
Videos
Building Up Kids: A Collection of Loss and Grief Videos
This is a link that features several videos related to loss and grief for children and teens. Available here.
Live 5 News Segment: Helping Kids Process Grief During COVID-19
Short news segment available here.
Books – for Children, Adolescents and Teens
Saying It Out Loud. Joan Abelove (1999)
When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. L.K. Brown (1996)
Coping with Death and Grief. Marge Eaton Heegaard (1990)
Children Also Grieve: Talking about Death and Healing. L. Goldman (2005)
Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love. Earl A. Grollman (1999)
Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children. B. Mellonie (1983)
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss. P. Schweibert & C. DeKlyen (1999)
Additional Book Recommendations available at this link via Children’s Grief Foundation
https://childrensgrieffoundation.org/book-recommendations/
Books – for Caregivers
Living Dying: A Guide for Adults Supporting Grieving Children and Teenagers. C. Russell Eaton (2007)
Never Too Young to Know: Death in Children’s Lives. P.R. Silverman (1999)
Helping Teens Cope with Death, and 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child. The Dougy Centre (2004)
Children and Grief: When a Parent Dies. W. Worden (1996)
Camps
Camp Skein
Camp Skein is a one week camp held by Camp Maple Leaf in partnership with the Season’s Centre for Grieving Children.
Website Address: https://www.campmapleleaf.net/
Camp Keaton
Camp Keaton is a bereavement camp for children and teenagers ages 7-17 grieving a significant death.
Website Address: https://kemphospice.org/services/camp-keaton/
Continuing Bonds Activities
Ideas for Continuing Bonds Activities…
- Journaling about your feelings or write letters to the loved one.
- Memory Angel – enjoy creating a beautiful memory angel which can be made from pegs and feathers and which can include something in memory of someone who has died. PDF example / instructions here
- Memory Jar – putting things into a jar that remind you of your loved one, or writing on paper a memory that you cherished with them.
- Taking out photo albums and displaying pictures.
- Going to visit the loved one at their place of rest or memorial.
- Talk to the loved one openly and share with them.
- Keep their traditions.
- Begin a hobby they enjoyed.
- Incorporate your loved one into holidays and special occasions.
Mindfulness Resources
From Living Well website – Article (with idea list) of Grounding Exercises Available here.
From Therapy in a Nutshell – 3 minute video with Grounding Exercise for Anxiety Available here
From Great Meditation – 10 minute Meditation for Mindfulness Available here
From Big Life Journal – Additional Mindfulness Resources for Children’s & Teens Available here