Date/Time
1.5 CEs. See Learn More and Register link below for full details.
This presentation will focus on the importance of goodbyes and the surrounding rituals that families participate in during times of bereavement. The death of a loved one is a significant life event which often occurs within the healthcare environment.
Child Life Specialists support children and families in various settings during critical stress points in their lives. In the hospital setting, Child Life Specialists provide procedural preparation, support, distraction, play, education, bereavement support, legacy activities, memory making, and help promote positive coping mechanisms. Additionally, Child Life Specialists provide emotional safety during distressing situations which aids in minimizing both short- and long-term effects associated with trauma.
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Policy Statement (2021) highlights that “child life services are associated with improved quality, outcomes, and patient and family experiences as well as decreased costs in pediatric care.”
“An estimated 6.3 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age eighteen” (Judi’s House and JAG Institute, 2024). The death of a loved one may impact the psychosocial and emotional development of a child and can lead to anxiety, depression, behavioral related problems, poor school performance, social withdrawal, and feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. Muriel et al. explain the “profound impact” a parent’s early death has on “children and the adults they become,” (Muriel et al., 2019).
Rituals provide personal connections between the bereaved child and dying family member. Incorporating legacy building and memory making into bereavement interventions may enhance a child’s ability to cope with death and loss. In addition, these activities provide the opportunity for children to take an active role in the process of saying goodbye to their loved one. Goodbye rituals, done with or apart from the dying loved one, help children recognize, grieve, and honor special relationships in their lives.
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
Summarize the necessity of providing goodbye opportunities for children and adolescents.
Restate the importance of respecting families’ unique values, spiritual beliefs, and traditions.
Identify 2-3 legacy building and memory methods.
Target Audience: Counselors, Social workers, Bereavement support professionals
Instructional Level: Intermediate – This best describes a topic or issue that the audience likely has a theoretical foundation for understanding and/or a working knowledge.
Location: Virtual
Sponsored By National Alliance for Children's Grief (NACG)
Cost: Free for NACG Members; $60 for Guests without CEs; $75 for Guests with CEs
For questions, Megan Lopez at megan.lopez@childrengrieve.org