The loss of any child is a tragedy, and this pain is always felt worst by the parents of the child who was lost. Many parents find that their mind is filled with an ever-changing rush of feelings and emotions that can be difficult to cope with. While nothing can replace the child who was lost, there are facts parents should know that can give some level of comfort during their time of mourning.

Being Open

It is natural for parents who have lost their child to withdraw emotionally and try to deal with this grief on their own. Sometimes processing these emotions internally can be healthy and may allow the parent to come to a greater understanding of themselves, but parents should work towards sharing this grief with others.

Most children find love from a number of people in their lives, and this means parents are not alone when it comes the sadness of this loss. When parents feel ready they should seek out those close to them for comfort and support. Some parents may even find a small measure of joy in learning how deeply their child was loved by everyone around them.

Accept Feelings As They Arise

Parents often find themselves overcome with a number of emotions that seemingly arise out of nowhere and at first these can seem like too much to bear. According to Psychology Today, parents who have lost a child are more significantly more likely to suffer from depression and function on a lower level physically than parents who haven’t lost a child. Trying to combat or bury these feelings of depression is common, but this often does little to ease the parent’s suffering. Acceptance of these feelings and emotions is key, as the tragedy of losing a child is an event that can only be understood by those who have gone through it.

The Planning Process

One of the most difficult tasks for parents to undertake is the planning process of their child’s funeral. When going through this, parents should know that:

• Taking Time Is Okay – No one expects parents to make every decision about their child’s funeral in a single day. Parents should take as much time as is needed to make these arrangements and care for themselves emotionally during this process.
• It’s Okay to Ask for Help – There are times when making these arrangements is simply too difficult for the parent to bear, and it is during these times that parents should lean on those close to them for support or allow them to take over the planning process.
• Assistance with Costs Is Available – Parents who find the costs of a funeral too expensive should know that there is help. Charitable organizations, state programs and the recovery of legal damages are all sources that can help offset costs and allow parents to focus on the more important parts of this process.

sad by Gisela Giardino / CC BY-SA 2.0