One of a series of leaflets published by The Compassionate Friends The family structure has changed “People kept asking me, ‘How are your parents?’ I know my parents are grieving, but I wish our family friends would recognise that I am too.” With the death of our sibling, the dynamic of the family has changed. Our place in the family may have been defined by our position as the eldest, youngest, or middle child, or by our similarities or differences from our sibling(s). Now, we might have become an only child overnight. Or perhaps we are now the eldest child, and feel the weight of new responsibilities, such as looking out for our younger siblings or supporting our parents. Bereaved siblings: navigating family relationships We have been bereaved. This person who died – our sibling – is loved by many, and we are all coping with our grief. Yet a family is made up of various individuals, and each of us may be impacted differently. Many families draw closer after a loss like ours, but sometimes there are disagreements and conflict. Sometimes the relationship between bereaved siblings and their parents can become fraught. This leaflet is written by bereaved siblings. We offer thoughts and suggestions based on our own experiences. We hope they will help as you navigate this painful time. Note: This leaflet is written for adults bereaved of their siblings. Of course, experiences may differ depending on our age. If we are in our 20s or 30s, our experiences of loss could be quite different than if we are in our 50s or 60s. But we are all siblings, and there are many common features. Please also see other leaflets by The Compassionate Friends (TCF) written for bereaved siblings: A sibling’s grief and When our sibling has died by suicide. For a complete list of leaflets, please visit tcf.org.uk/siblingleaflets.
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