FAQs | GLOSSARY | STAFF | TCHAP HOME
You can help your child deal with the death of a friend or family member by:
• Letting your genuine concern and caring show
• Being Available and being present
• Calling or writing to the family if it feels right
• Saying your sorry about what happened and about their pain
• Allowing the person to express as much or as little grief that they are willing to share at the moment
• Talking about special, endearing qualities of the person they have lost.
• Giving attention to surviving siblings
• Reassurance that they did everything they could
• Sharing your personal experience if it seems useful and normal.
• Listening and accepting without judgment
• Avoiding clichés such as “you can always have another child”, “your family is closer now”, “I know how you feel” (especially if you don’t know), or “think of all the good times”.
• Offering help such as cooking or minding other children and being OK with it if they decline.
• Acknowledge birthdays, death dates, anniversaries, etc.
• Remembering that grief may take many years to work through.
• By accepting that you cannot make them feel better
Select from the links below for more information about how to help specific age groups deal with death:
• Infants
• Preschool
• Schoolage
• Adolescents
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us:
 • Mother/Baby Unit: 212-4892
• Newborn Intensive Care Unit: 212-3614
• Pediatric Intensive Care: 212-3133
• Spiritual Care Department: 212-3275
• Social Worker on-call: 562-2211
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