The loss of a child is one of the most traumatic experiences a parent will ever have to face. If you’ve experienced this heartbreak yourself or know someone who has, you know that the effects are unpredictable and long-lasting. As we enter July — National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month — we have an opportunity to seek out resources to help bereaved parents navigate challenging times, whether for ourselves or our loved ones who have experienced loss.
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July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month
How to support bereaved parents
A study from the Institute of Medicine revealed that bereaved parents experience more health complications, depression, poorer well-being, and more instances of suicide than parents who have not experienced this devastating loss.
“To honor bereaved parents, we encourage individuals to reach out to loved ones or members of their communities who have experienced the death of a life,” Massachusetts General Hospital social worker Mary Barber Bussiere advised in an interview published on the hospital’s website. “Ask about their favorite memories with their child, share your favorite memories, and most importantly, say their name,” the bereavement program coordinator suggested.
There are many things you can do to support the bereaved parents in your life. Apart from offering to send a meal or do some cleaning around the home, sometimes a simple phone call or card can let them know you’re thinking of them (and their child).
Mention their child by name. Many grieving parents report that people seem afraid to say their child’s name, but they want you to remember their child. Encourage them to talk and share stories and memories. Most importantly, listen. It’s OK to cry along with them too, but just listening and letting them lead the conversation is the best way to go. Don’t be afraid of a pause in conversation, don’t feel the need to fill in silences with platitudes.
