As a hospice chaplain, I sat with older adults who experienced the death of their adult child.
Older adults who lose a child to death often say, “”It should have been me!”
When someone loses a child at any age, there are no words to ease a parent’s pain. So I offer no words, only you three resources of people who understand a parent’s pain when they lose a child.
If you have lost a child to death, please check out these resources. If you know someone who has experienced the death of a child, please share these resources with them.
The Compassionate Friends
https://compassionatefriends,org
The mission of The Compassionate Friends: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
Bereaved Parents of the USA
https://bereavedparentsoftheusa.org
Bereaved Parents of the USA was founded in 1995 by a group of bereaved parents from across the country to offer support, understanding, encouragement and hope to fellow bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of their loved one.
Helping grieving parents and families rebuild their lives after the death of a child.
Grieving Parents Support Network
This is a safe space where bereaved parents, can come, read, feel understood, rest, share, find information and resources, learn, process grief, and connect with other bereaved parents.
The GPSN is also a place for your friends and family wanting to support you in your journey of grief and child loss. We invite all who come to sit, hold space with us, and find out how to tend to your grieving heart.
May these resources provide support and hope!
Jim Cyr is a trained spiritual companion who helps older adults reflect on the meaning of their lives and how God has been present or absent as they face the challenges of aging and end of life.