The Bereaved Parent and Their Faith

UK Helpline: 0345 123 2304 | www.tcf.org.uk The faith that we formerly held so dear might seem inadequate at this time and not providing answers to our desperate questions. Feeling like this is not uncommon for bereaved parents; our world has changed, and everything within it will be affected. This could be a temporary reaction, or we might find ourselves on a journey away from our previous faith. It is important that we do not judge ourselves harshly but treat ourselves with kindness and patience. Many traditions have accounts of those within their midst who faced similar low points and eventually came through to a positive transformation, whether in harmony with or outside of their original beliefs. The book A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis is one famous example. Some of us find it helpful to explore these very deep issues with other people who have faced similar challenges. This could be with other bereaved parents or with someone whose guidance we trust, such as a spiritual director or our minister. It is sometimes possible to find support from a faith-based counsellor, such as the Association of Christian Counsellors www.acc-uk.org or the Muslim Counsellor Network www.mcapn.co.uk . We might instead prefer to explore issues in a more solitary manner, for example through reading books or researching, perhaps in our own quiet moments of prayer and reflection. Embracing our faith Much of what is written above looks at some of the difficulties we could experience as we journey through our grief whilst also struggling with our faith. It also has to be said that many of us find that our religious practices, both internal and external, bring us great comfort and joy. It may be the quietness of prayer or the joy of songs; the peace during our solitude or the atmosphere