Grieving in exceptional times
During these weeks of isolation, sadly some families will experience the death of a loved one; it may be due to COVID-19 or it may be completely unrelated. It’s natural to want to protect and shield children when someone dies; however, we need to talk to children to help them feel safer. The best thing to do is give children honest, age-appropriate information about death. It is painful to see a child upset, but children cope better with sad news when they are told the truth.
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) in partnership with The Irish Hospice Foundation have developed some specific resources in their COVID-19 Care & Inform series to help you support a grieving young person in these exceptional times.