Grief often occurs during this time of the year when those we have lost are no longer with us. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home is helping to make Northeast Ohio aware of children’s grief this holiday season. November 15th was Children’s Grief Awareness Day, observed every year on the third Thursday in November to remind children who are grieving that they are not alone. Whether you live in Cleveland, Ohio; Cuyahoga County, Ohio, or a completely different location, you should be aware that grief affects thousands of children. Children often try coping with grief through play. However, it’s not always that easy, and being the parent or caretaker of a grieving child can be immensely difficult. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home would like to help these parents, caretakers, and children with information on dealing with your child’s grief this holiday season.
Family gatherings can often seem less than what they were when we suffer the loss of a loved one, and children are usually hit the hardest by grief. Their grief will change as they get older, but it will never just disappear. Children’s grief is often overlooked in the rush of getting things arranged for the funeral service or trying to get things back to normal. It is the parent or caretaker of a grieving child that often must carry the heavy burden of trying to alleviate the pain of the loss from their child while coping with their own. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home in Cleveland encourages parents and caretakers to talk with the child about the issues, answering any questions they may have as truthfully as you can. Often children deal better with the death of a loved one by being around children that have shared their experience in their own lives. Children often manage coping with grief through play, making it a temporary escape. Let them know that their grief is a normal reaction. It doesn’t matter if the child lives in Cuyahoga County, Northeast Ohio, or the greater United States, they are not alone and their grief is just as important as the grief of an adult. Share memories with your child, celebrate the life of the loved one that has passed, and let them know that even if they can’t be there with you and your child this holiday season, that your child is still loved and will always be cared for.
Each child’s grief is unique and should be treated as such. Holidays can be a stressful time for the parent or caretaker of a grieving child, as well as the grieving child. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home in Cleveland, Ohio understands the importance of family and how they can help you through a tough loss. Whether your child is good at coping with grief through play or through the sharing memories of their Cuyahoga County relative, it is important to recognize that children’s grief is no less difficult than an adult’s loss. E.F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home wants everyone in Northeast Ohio to know that they’re there for you when you need them. Contact them today at 216.791.0770 or visit their website at www.efboyd.com to learn about the funeral home and more.