Talking to Kids About Death and Loss
Park Memorial • October 12, 2021
When a loss happens in a family, parents often struggle with what to share and how to share the news with their children.
Whether the loss of a family pet, a loved one, or a family member, the struggle of sharing the news of the loss is the first in a series of difficult conversations for parents.
"What do I say? What words do I use? How do I know what my child is ready to hear? I am grieving, too… how do I share this news and comfort my child while also holding space for my own feelings and grief?”
Just like other aspects of parenting, this parental role does not come with a handbook, however there are some solid resources available to help:
- Talking About Death and Dying, an online workshop series for parents and caregivers, via
KidsGrief.ca. Overview:
"Most parents dread telling their children that someone important to them has a life-limiting illness or is dying. They may hesitate to provide the details about how someone has died. This reluctance comes from a good place. It's a natural instinct to protect children and keep them emotionally safe. Research and experience strongly suggest we talk with our children early on in these situations. The best way to protect children is in fact to given them clear, honest information and support that is right for their personality and maturity."
- The BriarPatch Centre for Grieving Families (A Program of Pilgrims Hospice Society) provides a comprehensive array of workshops, art therapy, and individual, group, and family counselling support for families with grieving children, 5 years old and older, in Edmonton, Alberta
- Helping Children Cope with Grief, a comprehensive guide from Dr. Alan Wolfelt, Center for Loss & Life Transition. Overview: "Adults grieve. So do children. As an adult or child, experiencing grief means to “feel,” not just to “understand.” Anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Even before children are able to talk, they grieve when someone loved dies. And these feelings about the death become a part of their lives forever."
Please also visit our
list of local community resources to help you find local therapists and programs that focus on children’s grief.
Grief has no timeline, no rulebook, and no “right way” to move through it. At Park Memorial, our monthly grief-support programs — Art for the Grieving Heart and Men’s Grief Support* — were created to offer a safe, welcoming space for anyone navigating loss.
On September 30, Canadians pause for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Standing Together in Hope & Care
August 30th was marked as National Grief Awareness Day, and while we missed the official calendar date, we reflect on this truth: grief doesn’t live on a calendar. It doesn’t circle one day in August or only come up during anniversaries and holidays.
Last night, under the golden light of the soft evening sun, we gathered for the first in our summer series of Grief Walks—gentle steps taken in the company of others, held by nature, memory, and quiet connection.
Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do with a Loved One’s Facebook Account After They Pass Away
Last night marked the final gathering of our Men’s Grief Support program for the season*— and what a meaningful close it was. Over the past several months, this group has grown not only in numbers, but in connection, trust, and true community. To celebrate that growth, we decided to do something special: we hosted a di
On a warm spring afternoon, families, healthcare professionals, and community members gathered at Park Memorial Funeral Home for the 2025 Baby Memorial Service—an annual tradition every May, dedicated to honouring and remembering babies who died during pregnancy, at birth, or in early infancy.
My Dearest Daughter, as I write this letter, I can already feel the weight of my absence pressing upon you. There is so much I wish I could have told you, so many moments I wish I could have shared with you. But now, as you face the daunting task of being my Executor, I realize how much I have failed to prepare you for what lies ahead.
Being named the executor for a loved one is both an honour and a significant responsibility. As you step into this role, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of tasks and decisions that lie ahead. While the process can be complex and time-consuming, it is essential to approach it with warmth, empathy, and unwavering professionalism.
