Helping a child remember someone who's died
Bereaved children may benefit from the chance to remember loved ones. There are many ways of helping children celebrate the life of their loved one.
On this page:
Ways to remember a loved one
If you want to do something to help a child remember someone who’s died, these suggestions may help:
- Let them keep something that belonged to the person who died, such as an item of clothing.
- Make a treasure box where the child can keep all the special items that remind them of the person.
- Get each member of the family, including the child, to choose a button or gem stone that represent a happy memory of the person. Make the buttons or gemstones into a collage.
- If the child is finding it hard to go to school, create a handkerchief with your fingerprints or handprints on it, and maybe even spray it with scent. This can help them feel that their carer is close to them and safe.
- Share happy stories about the person who has died and talk about them.
- Look through old photographs or videos.
- Make a scrapbook together about the person who has died.
- Start a journal of memories that can be added to by anyone at any time. This may help children who have lost someone at a young age to remember the person who has died as they grow up.
- Involve the child in choosing pictures for a social media memorial page.
I have started creating children's comic book stories for my own children in future years of Dad and the lessons he taught me, adventures he had.
To find out more information about how grief affects children and how you can support them, visit our page, how grief may affect children, or call our support line on 0800 090 2309.
Did you find this page useful?
Help us be there for anyone with an illness they're likely to die from by telling us what you think.
If you are completing this survey using a desktop computer, hold down the Ctrl button to select multiple options.
About this information
This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances. Read more about how our information is created and how it's used.
