For parents bereaved of an only child or all their children

UK Helpline: 0 345 123 23 0 4 | tcf.org.uk Coping with our grief “Memories do not make up for the fact that my child is sadly no longer here with me, physically, but focussing on their memories does bring them close to me in my thoughts.” We are all different both in how we grieve and also how to find our way in life after we have been bereaved of a child or all our children. We will individually discover what helps us a little or raises our mood momentarily. The process is ongoing, and can feel different at different times. Sometimes we will welcome a distraction: a mundane chore, a walk or a chat. It often helps to get some fresh air and exercise. If we feel unable to be active, reading a few pages of a book or watching a TV programme may help. Often achieving small things will help us to function and take away the intensity of the pain for a minute or two. If we can try occasionally to only concentrate on what we are doing at that moment and not about what has happened or the future, it may ease our mind a little. New interests can help us to regain some of our lost self-esteem and confidence. Joining a craft course or a walking group, or taking up some voluntary work, might help fill our time and give us a new sense of purpose. Some of us will garner strength from our faith or beliefs, or the community around us. Others may become more solitary, taking time to process what has happened alone or with someone close. Speaking with other parents who have also been bereaved of all of their children is likely to be a help. The Compassionate Friends offers ongoing support through meetings, online and in person, and on Facebook, with dedicated groups for parents in these circumstances. There is more information about this on our website. “Thank you for yesterday. I’m so pleased I was given your Helpline telephone number. It really helped me knowing that there was someone who knew the intensity of grief I was experiencing.”