Page 15 - Devlin Funeral Home

In this stage it is important to put yourself first, and really listen to what you are experiencing. Eventually you will be finished your healing process and move on to renewal.
Stage 5: Renewal
In the stage of renewal you will gain the confidence to be your own person once again. You will become self aware and know your responsibility to yourself. At this time you will be able to get back into the motions of living the life you want and you can thrive in.
Grief for Children and Teens
When a loved one dies, it can be difficult to know how to help children cope with the loss, particularly as you work through your own grief. By being open and honest, encouraging communication and sharing your own feelings, you and your children cope with painful times and begin your healing journey together. A child’s ability to understand death varies according to their age.
Infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) feel a
loss through the absence of a loved one, interruption in their regular routine and through the grief and stress they sense in their parents or other family members. Spend extra time holding and cuddling the child and try to keep them on a regular schedule as much as possible.
Younger children (ages 3-6) might have trouble understanding the permanence of death or differentiating between fantasy and reality. They also might believe death of a loved one is a form of punishment for something they did. When speaking to young children about death it is important to use concrete language, avoid euphemisms, and reassure the child that the death is not a consequence of something they did.
Older children (6-12) are beginning to understand the permanence of death and might associate it with old age, or personify it in terms of frightening images or nightmares. They often know more about how the body works and have more specific questions. It is important to answer their questions to the best of your ability and provide as much specific, factual information as possible.
Devlin Funeral Home - Page 15