Death and Grief Family Resources
Whereas there is no endorsement of the following organizations, I encourage you to reach out to those that may be a good fit for your needs to personally inquire about their services and support.
Organizations:
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG)
www.nacg.org
A member organization committed to providing resources and local support for those assisting grieving children.
Grief Haven
www.griefhaven.org
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing grief support and education to those who have loved and lost, those supporting the bereaved, and professionals in the field.
The Compassionate Friends
www.compassionatefriends.org / (877) 969-0010
Providing comfort and support to families experiencing the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild. Chapters available nationwide.
New Hope Grief Support Community
www.newhopegrief.org
Helping bereaved adults, children, and families find hope and healing through connection and support.
Our House
www.ourhouse-grief.org
While direct services are limited to the Los Angeles area, their website offers strong information and nationwide resources.
Books for Children:
Lifetimes – The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children
By Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen
Explains beginnings, endings, and the lifetimes of plants, animals, and people in a simple, gentle way.
Personal Note: I discovered this book when my son died. It remains at the top of my list for its comforting illustrations and gentle approach.
Something Very Sad Happened – A Toddler’s Guide to Understanding Death
By Bonnie Zucker
Explains death in developmentally appropriate language for young children, emphasizing that love remains.
Someone I Love Died
By Christine Harder Tangvald
Helps children understand loss with comforting explanations, activities, and space to express feelings.
What Happened to Zoey – A Book About Grief for Kids
By Antie Angie
A story about a girl and her beloved dog, encouraging open discussions about grief and memories.
Books for Adults:
Talking About Death – A Dialogue Between Parent and Child
By Earl A. Grollman
A compassionate guide for adults and children to read together, with answers to common questions and additional resources.
Through a Child’s Eyes – Explaining Death, Organ Donation, Cremation, Burial, and Cemeteries
By Karen Longstreth
Helps parents discuss death and what follows using approachable language, including child-friendly activity pages.
The Grieving Child – A Parent’s Guide
By Helen Fitzgerald
Offers practical and compassionate advice to help children cope with the death of a loved one.