Bereavement in the Beginning Phase of Life

Abstract

Abstract This chapter addresses developmental and emotional issues experienced by children and their families in understanding and anticipating the loss of a significant person in their lives and their subsequent grief response. Changes imposed by illness and death create an altered framework which can have a major impact on children’s growth and development. Family memory is introduced as a particular component of the emotional structure shared by family members, part of the emotional adhesive that enables a sacred connection within families, a shared and valued memory bank. Memories are forever a part of the child’s internal knowledge base, and they are greatly influenced by illness and death experiences. Rituals and therapeutic activities which can assist children who have a loved one facing the end of life and those who have experienced a loss are identified.