Supporting a family through the death of a child is one of the most difficult and meaningful responsibilities in funeral service. To help funeral professionals provide compassionate guidance during these moments, the Funeral Service Foundation has released several new grief resources developed in collaboration with the Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition and the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.
Available at little or no cost, these resources are designed to give funeral professionals practical tools they can share directly with families while helping them navigate some of life’s most difficult conversations.
New Resources for Families
The expanded When a Child Dies series includes two new booklets created specifically for families experiencing different types of loss:
- When Goodbye Comes Too Soon: Acts of Love After Pregnancy Loss offers compassionate guidance for families experiencing pregnancy or newborn loss.
- When a Child’s Death Is Sudden provides practical information and emotional support for families facing the unexpected death of a child.
Both resources were developed with grief experts and healthcare professionals to help families understand what to expect while providing comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
Helping Children Through the Funeral Experience
Also launching this August is an updated edition of Youth & Funerals, a guide designed to help parents and caregivers prepare children for attending a funeral.
The revised edition includes:
- Age-appropriate explanations of funeral terminology
- Guidance on helping children understand burial, cremation, and other forms of disposition
- Ideas for maintaining a continuing bond with the person who died
- Connections to additional grief support resources
The Foundation is also introducing a new series of Youth & Funerals Companion Guides, providing short, practical handouts on topics such as telling a child someone has died, preparing them for a funeral, and supporting them in the months that follow.
A Valuable Resource for Every Funeral Home
Every family grieves differently, and children often experience loss in ways that adults don’t always anticipate. Having trusted, professionally developed resources available can help funeral directors provide additional support while giving parents and caregivers practical tools to continue those conversations at home.
AFCCA encourages members to explore these free resources and consider keeping them available for families when the need arises. They are available to view, download, or order through the Funeral Service Foundation.