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Children and Death

Sometimes children die; sometimes a child's parent or other loved one dies; sometimes infants and babies die during pregnancy or in their first days or months. Sometimes death comes to the families of people we love, and we don't know how to help. God is with us always, and with our children especially.

I've had this section in mind for Faith at Home for several years, but put it off. Yesterday I attended the funeral for a friend's toddler. It was time to put this resource together for others touched by death.

Support groups are invaluable, there are numerous online resources, and you'll find there are many ways for friends to support bereaved parents, grieving children, and couples with difficult pregnancies. May you find ways to enter the presence of death with faith.

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Death of a Child

O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them, give us grace to entrust this child to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Resources for the child's experience
Children's Hospital Parent's Center: A Peaceful Death
Family Bereavement - Grief, Hospice, and Terminal Illness Resources
Discussing Death with Preschoolers
Resource sites for the parents
SilentGrief: a message of hope for the grieving heart
Erichad: loving support for bereaved parents
General grief & death resources
Books

 

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him/her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

 

Death of a Parent/Loved One

Resources
Helping Children Through Parent's Terminal Illness
GrievingChild.org
Can Children Really Mourn?
Discussing Death with Preschoolers
Helping Children Cope With Loss, Death, and Grief
Helping Kids with Loss and Grief
Family Bereavement - Grief, Hospice, and Terminal Illness Resources
Parents Advice about Death and Grieving
At the time of death
Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
In the Name of God the Father Almighty who created you;
In the Name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
In the Name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace,
and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.

 

Pregnancy & Infant Loss

Resources
Grief Watch: perinatal loss resources
Hannah's Prayer: Christian Infertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support
Hannah's Prayer Pregnancy / Infant Loss Resources
Mending Broken Hearts: Pregnancy and Newborn Loss Support
Born Angels: Pregnancy Loss Support
M.E.N.D. - Christian Miscarriage Support
A Heartbreaking Choice (to end a pregnancy due to severe or lethal birth defects)
Resources for Parents Who Continue a Pregnancy with a Fetal Abnormality
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with Names in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Grief & Death in General

HospiceNet: resources for patients and families facing life-threatening illness
Ways to Support People Who Are Grieving, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
"Call if You Need Anything", an article at SilentGrief
"After the Flowers and a Card, Then What?", another article at SilentGrief
Finding Our Way: Death & dying in America
The American funeral: an Episcopal Life series
Funeral options: an Episcopal Life sidebar
At an Episcopal Funeral: A guide for families
Christian Prayers - Death, at BeliefNet
Readings, Prayers and Spiritual Resources for Those Keeping Vigil and Giving Care, from HospiceNet

 

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening,
into the house and gate of heaven
to enter into that gate, and dwell in that house
where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;
no noise nor silence, but one equal music;
no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;
no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;
in the habitation of thy glory and dominion,
world without end. Amen.
John Donne

 

All prayers from the 1979 ECUSA Book of Common Prayer

 

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Copyright © 2003 Barbara Laufersweiler
Last updated September 16, 2003

URL: http://www.faith-at-home.com/tips/kids-death.html

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