The Bereaved Parent and Their Faith

One of a series of leaflets published by The Compassionate Friends during collective worship, or anything else connected to our beliefs, whether well-established or new. The rituals we observe can bring feelings and emotions into a physical form, so that we can touch, feel and process them. We should never feel reluctant to participate if these activities bring us peace. Being kind to ourselves includes enjoying our faith, if this is what we find most helpful. Holding our child’s memory within the safe space of our faith Although our dearly loved child has died, their memory is alive. Depending on our particular traditions, there may be times on the religious calendar for services or acts of remembrance that are commemorated by the entire congregation. The anniversary of our child’s death might be the most significant date, or there could be other times of the year. The ways we remember and mourn our child within our faith will vary. For some of us rituals are important long after our child has died. Traditions may have evolved across generations. Continuing these practices or attending such services can help us as we adjust to our loss. It may also be possible to commission a commemorative plaque or item with the name of our child in our place of worship. In addition, we may want to find our own ways of bringing our child into our personal faith practices, such as lighting candles or saying prayers for them. Many of us find it comforting to make a special corner or focal point in our home in memory of our beloved child. Such a place can contain pictures of our child, candles, flowers, and items connected with our faith.