Bereavement Toolkit
Uploaded 14/02/2023
This toolkit is for Grief and Loss for Primary school teachers, to help support children and young people affected by loss through death. It is available to purchase through the link attached.
Memory Jar
Uploaded 18/11/2021
Creating a Jar of Memories together is a great way to take some dedicated time to remember the person who has died.
Memories are so important to help children and young people continue the bond between them and the person who has died. Children and young people often worry about forgetting the person who has died, so this is a great way to help them with their grief process.
This also helps when children may have been too young to remember the person who has died. Telling stories and sharing memories is a great way to help them get to know their grieving person. ✨?
Keep your memory jar filled with memories and stories of the person who has died in a special place where the whole family can have access to add more or take out a note and remember the person for a while. ✨
Memory Box
Uploaded 18/11/2021
A Memory Box is a special way to remember the person who has died. You can ask your child to decorate it and put their favourite things in it that remind them of their loved one.
Ask your child or young person to add items to the Memory Box that have a special memory with their loved one who has died. You can include things like; Photographs, letters, notes, their favourite music CD, their favourite hoodie or sports jersey or even their favourite perfume they wore.
Keeping these memories alive is so important in the grieving process and the Memory Box will always be a place where your child or young person can open it up and take some time to remember the person who has died.
Gratitude Tree
Uploaded 18/11/2021
The Gratitude Tree Exercise is a great way to empower your child or young person to take some time to list all the things and people they are grateful for.
It's a great reminder for them to remember all the good things that still remain.
Teaching and practicing gratitude will empower kids to live happier lives. Gratitude benefits emotional well-being by increasing positive emotions and enables savoring of experiences.
Journal
Uploaded 18/11/2021
Journalling is a great way for your child or young person to put their thoughts and feelings down on paper.
Keeping a journal is a wonderful way to facilitate the grieving process. Encourage your child or young person to draw or write about their feelings.
Keeping a journal allows children to creatively express themselves.
Plant a Tree/Flower
Uploaded 18/11/2021
help a child or young person better understand & accept the deceased’s transition from a physical presence to existence as feelings/memories in the child’s heart and mind.
Allow the child to participate in the selection, planting and care of the plant, as it can create a deeper connection between this living memorial and your child’s feelings and memories of the deceased.
Top Ten Children’s Books on Death and Bereavement
Uploaded 20/09/2017
From Michael Rosen’s Sad Book to Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls, Holly Webb, author of A Tiger Tale, shares the most touching books that help us talk and think about loss of a loved one.
Support After a Murder or Violent Death
Uploaded 06/04/2017
Fact sheet from the Dougy Centre which outlines how to support children & teens after a murder or violent death.
Understanding Childhood Bereavement
Uploaded 30/11/2017
National Alliance for Grieving Children – What children should understand about childhood bereavement
Embrace FARM
Uploaded 02/03/2016
Embrace FARM was founded by Brian Rohan and his wife Norma, a farming family from Shanahoe, Co. Laois, in 2014 to provide a bereavement support group for farm families who, like them, have lost a loved one or, indeed, suffered serious injury in a farming accident.
Understanding Children’s Grief
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Supporting Children Before a Death
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Supporting a Child at the Time of Death
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Funerals and Saying Goodbye
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Explaining Cremation to Children
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Going Back to School
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
When Does a Child Need Professional Help?
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Helping Bereaved Children to Cope with Mother’s Day
Uploaded 20/04/2016
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network Fact Sheet.
Teaching Self Compassion
Uploaded 27/11/2015
From the Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
Bereavement in the workplace
Uploaded 30/09/2015
From the Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
Adolescents and Grief
Uploaded 30/09/2015
From the Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
FirstLight
Uploaded 04/09/2015
FirstLight offers support and information and promotes research into the sudden, unexpected, often unexplained death of a child.
Bereavement Practice for Clinicians and Service Providers
Uploaded 01/07/2015
From the Australian Centre for Grief & Bereavement
Programme to Help Those Suffering Prolonged Grief
Uploaded 15/02/2014
Irish Hospice Foundation programme will support people ‘overwhelmed by their grief’.
Up to 7,000 people in Ireland can suffer each year from ‘Complicated Grief’ according to the Irish Hospice Foundation.
This health condition can last for years or even decades after a death.
Bereavement : How Guidance Counsellors Can Support the Grieving Student
Uploaded 28/11/2013
Helping Families After an Emergency
Uploaded 02/10/2013
This booklet has been developed to give you information about a child’s needs and offers ways to help children after an emergency. It is intended to provide suggested ways to nurture children’s emotional healing
You are not alone - HSE Directory of Bereavement Support Services 2013
Uploaded 25/09/2019
This directory lists the individual counsellors and organisations
across the country who provide services to those who are
bereaved. These range from local support groups, self-help
groups, voluntary and community-based groups to larger
organisations with multiple branches.
ICBN Standards for Supporting Bereaved Children and Young People
Uploaded 25/09/2019
In this document, ICBN set out a way forward in the promotion of the child or young person’s
voice in Irish society, in order that their needs may be appropriately recognised and supported
when they are bereaved.
Families and bereavement
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Advice from the Childhood Bereavement Network on how families can support a child during bereavement
The First Steps in Talking to Children about Grief
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Advice and tips from the Childhood Bereavement Network on talking to children about grief
Supporting a Child at the Time of a Death
Uploaded 11/05/2020
A helpful guide from the Childhood Bereavement Network. When a person has died, sensitive communication with children is vital. It can help them to spend some time with the person’s body. Rather than being upsetting for them, with careful preparation it can actually help a child to understand what has happened.
Children's Grief Centre Information Leaflet
Uploaded 16/05/2020
Information leaflet for the Children's Grief Centre
Support Books for Parents of Bereaved Children and Teens
Uploaded 06/06/2023
Support Books for Parents of Bereaved Children and Teens
We’ve compiled the below list of books on childhood bereavement which may be helpful. Most can be bought online from your local book shop, Amazon.co.uk or Book Depositry. It may also be possible to borrow them from your local public library or an academic institute.
Elke Thompson has produced this 36 minute video to support you in explaining the death of a loved one to a young child
Uploaded 30/07/2020
How to talk to young children about the death of loved ones
Explaining death to young Children - Books to support young children following the death of a loved one.
Uploaded 30/07/2020
Is Daddy coming back in a minute? and What happened to Daddy's Body? Two books by Elke and Alex Barber
Attending Funerals, Memorials, and Other Rituals
Uploaded 12/04/2021
When children are not given the opportunity to attend they may feel excluded or rejected. It is important for children and teenagers to feel recognized as family members whose presence or participation is valued at a ceremony, ritual, or celebration of life.
10 ways you can mark anniversaries, birthdays and special days
Uploaded 30/08/2021
10 ways you can mark
anniversaries, birthdays
and special days
Information Booklet
Uploaded 18/11/2016
The Children’s Grief Centre provides a place where children and young people can come to begin the process of healing with the support of friends, families and trained volunteers. The service is located in Westbourne, Ashbourne Avenue, SCR, Limerick.
All services are offered free of charge to children and young people and are available for as long as they need them.
The Importance of Access to Parents after Separation
Uploaded 08/09/2016
Information from DM Burke Solicitors blog.
Families Navigating a Separation
Uploaded 16/02/2014
Separating the Options - Video for young people with parents who are separating
"I'm stuck in the middle"
Uploaded 25/09/2019
In this brochure, the Children's Grief Centre suggest how you can help your child through the process of separation/divorce to make it less difficult for everyone.
Parenting Positively - Helping children to cope with Separation
Uploaded 25/09/2019
This booklet is for parents of teenagers who are separating or divorcing. When parents separate, it is a painful and stressful experience for a family. Every family member needs help and support to cope with the emotional consequences and changes it brings.
Parenting Positively
Uploaded 25/09/2019
Coping with Separation - For Parents of children between 6 and 12. This booklet is one in a series on Parenting Positively. Parenting is a very rewarding job but one which can be difficult at times, especially when parents are faced with challenging situations. The aim of this series is to provide information and guidance to parents of children between the ages of 6 and 12 to help create a positive, loving and supportive relationship between you and your child.
when a relationship ends
Uploaded 06/05/2020
When a relationship ends - Advice for parents from One Family Group
Children can handle it
Uploaded 06/05/2020
Children Can Handle It
How to Talk to Your Child about Their Family Situation
Resource from One Family
Latest News You are here: Home / Parenting / Parenting | 10 Ways to Talk About An Absent Parent (4-8 years) Parenting | 10 Ways to Talk About An Absent Parent (4-8 years)
Uploaded 06/05/2020
Parenting | 10 Ways to Talk About An Absent Parent (4-8 years) Resource from One Family
What Parents Need to Know from Kids about Divorce
Uploaded 08/05/2020
A video - What Parents Need to Know from Kids about Divorce
The impact of parental separation and divorce on the health status of children and ways to improve it
Uploaded 25/05/2020
Research from the Journal of Clinical & Medical Genomics
Where to start if your marriage is breaking down
Uploaded 14/09/2020
Some advice for parents if they are separating and how to move forward.
The Reading Agency’s Reading Well for Young People scheme
Uploaded 04/05/2016
The Reading Well for Young People book-list provides 13 to 18 year-olds with support and advice on common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and stress, as well as difficult experiences like bullying and exams.
Nick Luxmoore: Counselling Teenagers on Sex and Sexuality
Uploaded 04/05/2016
Nick Luxmoore reflects upon his new book “Horny and Hormonal” to discuss the significance of sex and sexuality in young people’s education, and how these often awkward subjects can begin to be broached by the adults who support them.
Community Substance Misuse Team – Limerick
Uploaded 04/05/2016
The CSMT provides a free support service to under 18′s and their families. The service can be accessed directly by family members an/or referral from other services.
Sr. Helen Culhane & Mary Browne
Uploaded 24/05/2023
Sr. Helen Culhane and Mary Browne's radio interview with Kieran McAuliffe after receiving Volunteer Ireland Award for Children & Youth.
Irish Catholic interview with Sr. Helen Culhane
Uploaded 05/10/2022
Helping Ireland's children cope with grief.
Sr Helen Culhane speaks to Audrey Carville on Morning Ireland, RTÉ Radio 1
Uploaded 06/09/2022
How children grieve differently than adults.
Irish Examiner Interview with Anne Comerford
Uploaded 16/06/2021
“You’re trying to protect your children, but they’re also trying to protect you. They don’t want to see their mum upset.”
Sr Helen echoes this, saying “we find with bereavement, children will model how the surviving adult be- haves”.
She cites the case of a young girl whose father had died in his sleep.
Mother and daughter were staying in a relative’s house and Sr Helen told her mother that she needed to move back home, saying “she had lost her dad, she didn’t need to lose her home and she doesn’t need to lose you”.
The tough love paid off. This past Christmas, Sr Helen bumped into the little girl’s mother, who said that it was a lucky day when they went to the Children’s Grief Centre. If they hadn’t met Sr Helen, she said, they would still be staying in her sister’s house, and now her daughter is cop- ing really well.
Sister Helen and Anne Comerford joined Sean O'Rourke on RTE's Today Show on the 20th Feb 2018
Uploaded 14/02/2016
Changes to the family unit whether through bereavement or separation can have profound effects on children.
Sister Helen Culhane was recently named as Limerick Person of the year for her work at the "Children’s Grief Centre" which provides support to children in these situations.
Sister Helen and Anne Comerford joined Sean O'Rourke in studio this morning, and on the phone Annette, whose children have used the Centre also spoke to the programme.
Helen Culhane Interviewed on Kildare FM Radion Show January 2019
Uploaded 20/11/2015
Children's Grief Centre Founder and Director, Sr Helen Culhane explains the story behind the centre and shares incredibly moving insights from the children she's supported over its decade-long existence. She and her colleagues are always learning from the incredible children who pass through the centre's doors.
Live 95FM – Helen Culhanes Interview
Uploaded 06/09/2012
The Children’s Grief Project leader-Helen Culhanes interview on Limerick’s Live 95fm
Clare FM's Gavin Grace interviews Helen Culhane, Director, Children's Grief Centre: May 2019
Uploaded 11/09/2019
Helen discusses her inspiration for setting up the Children's Grief Centre in 2009. To celebrate it's 10yr Anniversary, the Children's Grief Centre has organised a Conference titled Children and Loss 2019 to take place at LIT's Millennium Theatre in June.
Grainne McPolin, RTE's Drivetime Show at the Children and Loss Conference June, 2019
Uploaded 11/09/2019
Grainne McPolin reports from a Children's Loss Conference in Limerick on the issue of separation and divorce and its impact on children is a growing issue in Ireland.
Brendan O'Connor, RTE Radio & TV Broadcaster interviews Daniel McConnell May 2019
Uploaded 06/06/2023
Brendan O'Connor, RTE Radio & TV Broadcaster interviews Daniel McConnell with guests about their personal experiences of loss and grief
Mariane Finucane, RTE Radio 1, talks to Olive Foley, Ambassador to the Children Grief Centre with Helen Culhane, Director, Children's Grief Centre
Uploaded 11/09/2019
Sr Helen Culhane founder of Limerick’s Children's Grief Centre and Olive Foley, Ambassador to the Centre, talk about grief and loss as well as the help and support provided by the Children's Grief Centre.
The Shapes of Grief Podcast/blog hosted by Liz Gleeson
Uploaded 04/12/2019
The Shapes of Grief podcasts, hosted by Liz Gleeson is an educational resource for Healthcare professionals, therapists, educators and anyone who wants to better understand grief and how to support it. Here Liz interviews Sr. Helen Culhane, Founder & Director of the Children's Grief Centre. In this conversation, Helen and Liz discuss children’ grief and draw on their experience as counsellors to discuss some of the important themes that can come up for children who are grieving and offer some really practical suggestions on how to best support grieving children, whether their loss be bereavement or parental separation.
Bishop Brendan Leahy talks to Sr. Helen Culhane
Uploaded 15/04/2020
Sr Helen offers advice on how to support each other, particularly children, in dealing with grief during this COVID-19 crisis.
Helen Culhane Director of the Children's Grief Centre speaks to Ray Darcy on RTE Radio 1
Uploaded 22/04/2020
Listen back to our Director Helen Culhane chat with Ray Darcy on RTÉ Radio 1. While we are all coping with so much change in the face of the pandemic, we cannot forget that children’s worlds have been turned upside down.
Ita Hannan, Volunteer Support Worker is interviewed by John Prendergast as part of his 'What Matters' programme.
Uploaded 22/04/2020
John Prendergast spoke with Ita Hannan of the Children's Grief Centre and with heartfelt sincerity she told of the absolute necessity of people to talk and listen to each other.
She explained that children need to trust and in acrimonious circumstances including bereavement their world is torn apart with loss, sadness and anger.
The wonderful people who help all in these circumstances are the Frontline members of our church and community.
My very special thanks to Sr.Helen Culhane of the centre ,Ita and all the great staff.
Sr. Helen Culhane Director of the Children's Grief Centre
Uploaded 21/09/2020
John and Shane from Sacred Space 102 fm 'Come and See Inspirations' Programme chat with Sr. Helen on coping with loss during Covid-19
Olive Foley interview with Claire Byrne
Uploaded 01/03/2021
CGC Ambassador Olive Foley & Child Psychologist David Coleman on Today with Claire Byrne (RTE 1)
Olive Foley Interview on Come and See Inspirations
Uploaded 25/04/2021
Olive Foley - Ambassador to the Children's Grief Centre is interviewed on Come & See Inspirations
Helen Culhane CEO at the Children's Grief Centre and Olive Foley. CGC Ambassador on Clare FM
Uploaded 29/03/2021
On Monday’s Morning Focus, Gavin Grace spoke to Sr. Helen Culhane, Founder of the Children’s Grief Centre and Olive Foley, Ambassador to the Children’s Grief Centre about their fundraising campaign.
Family & Child Law Committee Guidelines on Access during Covid-19
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Family law, by its very nature, is stressful for couples whose relationship has broken down. This stress is exacerbated exponentially in the current climate of Covid-19.
A number of issues have arisen and the Family & Child Law Committee wishes to provide some guidelines to practitioners and parents who are encountering difficulties at the moment. Practitioners will appreciate the following guidelines are intended to constitute best practice guidelines rather than specific client advice:
How to manage Access/Contact visits in your family
Uploaded 11/05/2020
All of us, as a community and as families are being affected by the current Covid–19 crisis. We are in this together and we know that many people are anxious and confused about important issues. It is essential in this time of adversity that we work together for the best interests of the most vulnerable in our society and most particularly our children.
Challenges for Shared-parenting during COVID-19
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Advice from Treoir for shared parenting during Covid-19
Coronavirus and Access Arrangements for Children
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Family Law expert, Deirdre Burke offers advice on how to manage access during Covid-19
Grief during Covid-19
Uploaded 02/04/2020
How to support grieving children and teenagers during Covid-19
Supporting Children and teens when a family member is dying in a hospital or care facility
Uploaded 02/04/2020
A guide to supporting children and teenagers when a loved one is dying.
Supporting Children during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Uploaded 02/04/2020
Factsheet on how to support children during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Social Support and Bereavement during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Uploaded 02/04/2020
How to support bereaved individuals during the Coronavirus Outbreak
Grieving in exceptional times: Supporting Others
Uploaded 02/04/2020
Irish Hospice Foundation - Covid-19 Care and Inform.
Planning a funeral in exceptional times
Uploaded 02/04/2020
Irish Hospice Foundation - Covid-19 Care and inform
Helping Children Grieve during Covid-19 Restrictions
Uploaded 08/04/2020
Irish Hospice Foundation - Covid-19 Care and inform
Finding ways to help children and young people grieve
Uploaded 08/04/2020
Irish Hospice Foundation - Covid-19 Care and inform
Coronavirus: How to say goodbye when a funeral isn't possible
Uploaded 17/04/2020
Winston's WIsh - Bereavement Resources in relation to Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Supporting bereaved children and young people
Uploaded 17/04/2020
Bereaved children, or those who have a member of their family who is ill, are likely to be anxious about coronavirus. Here is some advice on how to talk and reassure them.
How to tell a child or young person that someone has died from coronavirus
Uploaded 17/04/2020
ore children and young people will face bereavement because of coronavirus in the coming weeks. Here is some advice on how to tell them about the death of a loved one.
Ways to manage your anxiety about coronavirus
Uploaded 17/04/2020
t’s natural to feel more anxious about family members becoming ill if you have experienced the death of a loved one. Here are some ways for children, young people and adults to manage their anxiety.
How to support grieving bereaved children during this pandemic - Irish Times Health article.
Uploaded 22/04/2020
How to support grieving bereaved children during this pandemic
Bereavement experts share advice for parents trying to cope in the most trying of circumstances. Key input from Director of the Children's Grief Centre Sr. Helen Culhane, Brid Carroll ICBN and Gina Cantillon Barnardos. Irish Times Health.
Supporting Children during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Uploaded 27/04/2020
Children often look to adults for guidance on how to respond to stressful events - Here is a Factsheet from the Australian Bereavement Centre to help support children and young people
Funeral Support and Physical Distancing
Uploaded 27/04/2020
With the increase of the Coronavirus pandemic, physical distancing is having an impact on
how funerals are conducted and the participation of mourners. This tipsheet from the Australian Bereavement Centre provides tips to help support you at this time.
https://www.cruse.org.uk/coronavirus/children-and-young-people
Uploaded 11/05/2020
Advice from Cruse Bereavement Care on how to support children during Covid-19
Supporting children and young people during covid-19
Uploaded 16/05/2020
Information, resources and tools to support children, young people and their families during covid-19
To process grief over Covid-19, children need empathetic listening.
Uploaded 19/06/2020
Article from the Scientific American.
A Guide for the Bereaved during Covid-19
Uploaded 15/10/2020
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has forced us to change the usual ways we deal with the loss of a loved one.
This guide is concerned with the period from the time a death occurs up to the burial or cremation. It is intended to provide clear advice as to what bereaved families might expect as they make funeral arrangements.
In particular, it outlines the changes that have become necessary to what are often fundamental and time honoured rituals and processes associated with marking the passing of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donor Policy
Uploaded 22/05/2018
Our pledge is to treat all our donors with respect, honesty and openness. We commit to being accountable and transparent so that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in CGC.
Privacy Statement
Uploaded 06/07/2020
The Children’s Grief Centre is committed to protecting the privacy of users of this website in compliance with the Data Protection Acts
Complaints & Whistleblowing Procedures
Uploaded 12/10/2020
You should voice your concerns, suspicions or uneasiness as soon as you feel you can – the earlier a concern is expressed, the easier and sooner action can be taken.
Children's Grief Centre's Child Safeguarding Statement
Uploaded 12/10/2020
Children's Grief Centre provides support to school aged children and young people affected by loss through death, separation and divorce. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard children, young people and their families on our premises.
Guidelines for Fundraising
Uploaded 06/06/2023
You can read the guidelines below and contact us by email at fundraising@childrensgriefcentre.ie for your free Fundraising Pack, alternatively you can contact us on (087) 457 8030 for further information.
Annual Report 2019
Uploaded 30/07/2020
The Children’s Grief Centre are committed to the principles of transparency and accountability in the charity sector. As part of this commitment, published here is our Annual Report 2019 for you to read.
Annual Report 2018
Uploaded 25/09/2019
The Children's Grief Centre's Annual Report 2018
Published Reports and Financial Statements
Uploaded 25/04/2018
The Children’s Grief Centre are committed to the principles of transparency and accountability in the charity sector. As part of this committment, published here is our Annual Report 2017 for you to read.
