With July being Bereaved Parents Month, we want to provide some resources and memorial ideas to grieving parents.
Losing a child is an unimaginable loss, but it is possible to find hope again. Through healthy grieving methods, resources for grieving parents, and memorials, you can honor your child’s memory and find ways to cope.
Grief Tips
First of all, remember to be patient with your grief; learning how to cope won’t be instantaneous. Find a healthy grieving method that’s right for you, such as:
- Joining a gym or an exercise group, such as a yoga class.
- Taking a walk or bike ride around town.
- Talking to a trusted family member or friend.
- Joining a local support group for those grieving a loss, or one of the organizations in the next section.
- Doing your favorite hobby.
- Trying out a new hobby or activity within your community.
- Seeking professional counseling if needed.
- Allowing yourself to express your feelings.
- Volunteering at your local animal shelter, hospital, or another organization.
- Doing breathing exercises or practicing meditation, or downloading a stress-relieving app for your phone or tablet.
Grief Resources for Bereaved Parents
This organization helps grieving parents, grandparents, and siblings struggling with a loss. It’s free to become a member and they have chapters throughout the U.S. Additionally, there are newsletters, brochures, articles, and other resources to help you grieve.
Founded more than 40 years ago, this organization helps comfort and provide hope to those grieving the loss of a child. There are more than 700 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Together, those grieving can support each other, cope with their loss, and honor their memory.
This program provides a comforting and relaxing environment for those grieving to come together. With different programs for your child’s age or your specific situation, you can stay at Faith’s Lodge for a weekend of activities and discussion to help you cope with your loss.
Memorial Ideas
Creating a memorial or a tradition to remember your child can help you grieve and honor their memory, such as:
- Establishing a scholarship in their honor.
- Organizing a school supply or toy donation drive.
- Donating to a significant cause to honor their memory.
- Creating a memory bear with one of their outfits.
- Gathering loved ones for a dinner to share stories and memories.
- Visiting their gravesite or ash scattering location on their death anniversary, birthday, or another special date.
- Visiting their favorite places, or places they always wanted to go.
- Making a scrapbook or shadowbox filled with photos and memories.
- Starting a grief journal to express your thoughts and memories.
- Downloading an app to your mobile device to preserve memories this way.
Share your grief tips and memorial ideas in the comments!
Losing a child is difficult, not a day goes by that I don’t think of our son, died at age 21, Nov 22, 2002; lost our daughter age 37, Oct 13, 2018 (leaving me with her two precious girls, ages 17 & 14, to raise). I have peace knowing they are with their Dad who died Aug 6, 2013. Grief support is so important no matter who you loose, it walks you through the emotional steps and you find the steps don’t come in any special order. I miss them all dearly and know each one is pain free, my mission on earth is raising to granddaughter’s to be responsible adults.
I lost my son Bennett Royce Mcnlty aka Bubba september 6th 2017 in a fiery car accident he was a passenger in a car ,just long for the ride with a so called friend on a break from work ,joy riding which the kid was speeding purposely driving 120 miles per hour on a back dirt road and lost control and the truck hit a tree and ofcourse caught on fire with my precious 21 year old son in the car , I have alot of anger and hate and I’m sad hurt my heart is shattered forever till I see my baby again , his birthday was in may he would have been 23 I miss and love him every minute of everyday, he was my only son and the baby I have a daughter and shes all I have left. I still don’t understand this at all I long for him still. I guess I always will he was my baby .The kid that is responsible for this never got in trouble for my childs death, but is in jail on other charges imagine that right. The system wow. I will see him again one day I do know this for sure, just not soon enough.
We lost our son, Adam Casey Potter, on November 5,2010. Losing Adam is the most heartbreaking experience I’ve living. Yes, it’s been 8 1/2 years but the loss is so real. I find joy in his two daughters, the youngest born after his death. We lost Adam in a motorcycle accident. Please all drivers look twice save a life.
What has helped me most is prayer. My daily morning prayer is, “God give me happiness.” Another thing that helps me is to post “Remembering Adam” with a photo on his birthday, death anniversary date and other days I’m especially missing him.
If you are a grieving parent, remember your spouse is grieving too. Lean on each other.