Supporting Grieving Children
When children face a significant loss or life change, helping them understand and navigate their emotions can feel like uncharted territory. If you’re feeling uncertain about how to support them, you’re not alone.
Grief can take many forms—whether it’s the loss of a loved one or pet, a family separation, or a big move—and children process it in their own unique ways. Their understanding and reactions often depend on their age and developmental stage, and even siblings may grieve differently.
To help you through this journey, we’ve gathered a selection of resources to support both you and your child during life’s most difficult moments.
Books & More
Books are invaluable aids for helping children understand and cope with their feelings. At BPL, we offer Grief Kits for kids, available for checkout with your library card. These kits include a picture book, supportive resources, and an activity to help children express their emotions, understand grief, and remember loved ones in healthy, constructive ways.
Also take a look at these resources, selected by our librarians. Or ask us for help next time you visit your local branch or use our Handpicked For You service. Our staff are always happy to suggest thoughtfully curated and age-appropriate titles to fit your child’s experience.
Help in the Community
BPL can also connect caregivers and children to community services that provide further support and resources. The following organizations offer services you may find helpful:
Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Families
- Offers free peer support groups for children and youth ages 3-19 and young adults ages 19-24, who are grieving the death of a parent or sibling.
- Call 905.337.2333
- Email info@lighthousegriefsupport.org
Bereaved Families of Ontario, Halton-Peel
- Bereavement supports and services including individual support and peer support groups for children ages 6 and up.
- Call 905.848.4337 extension 0
- Email info@bereavedfamilies.ca
Information Burlington
If you or someone you know needs help, but you don’t know where to turn, we have the resources to get you the help you need. Here's how:
- Call Information Burlington, a community information & referral service of Burlington Public Library, at 905.639.3611 ext 1212 for personal, confidential assistance.
- Go online anytime to access our online community information resource, the Halton Youth Services Directory. Search by keyword "grief support" for death-related grief and general counselling services for family-related issues. Select "Burlington" to find community support that's closest to you.
We're Here For You
Grief is a deeply personal journey, both for children and those who care for them—and no one has to face it alone. With the support of loved ones and the right resources, children can find the understanding and reassurance they need to navigate their emotions. Burlington Public Library is here to help, every step of the way.
