The Bereavement Experience Journal is a collection of family experiences about the challenges faced by the death of a child.  It represents the "collective wisdom" of families and health care providers.  We know that there may be some emotional discomfort associated with reading the stories of children and parents describing their experience dealing with loss.  Nonetheless, we know that families learn from the stories of others facing similar experiences. The hope and goal of the Bereavement Experience Journal lies in facilitating the strength and resiliency that lies in every child and family that faces adversity.

The Bereavement Experience Journal was the result of input from parent focus groups led by Dita Obler, Marsha Joselow, Kristen Dubois, and Johanna Black. This journal was created and reviewed by a group of parents and health care providers at Children's Hospital Boston.

These stories contain emotionally powerful material; pacing yourself may be helpful. We welcome family members to enter and explore the following chapters:

	Family Contributions:
	Losing a Child Some of the Initial Feelings Grief and Coping Things to Say and Not to Say Our Other Children How I've Changed The Impact on Our Marriage Helpful Things Before and After	Transitioning Out of the Hospital/Redefining Normal Life After Losing a Child Remembering and Honoring Our Child Missing Links in the Support Systems Holidays, Birthdays and Anniversaries Spirituality Words of Wisdom
	Sibling Contributions:
	How It Feels Talking to Other People About Our Sibling	Our Lives After Losing a Sibling
	Videos:
	Cameron's Arc: Creating a Full Life A Family Interview Interview with Elaine Meyer, RN PhD What Do I Tell My Children?
	Clinician Contributions:
	Services Available Advice for Talking With Your Surviving Children Preparation Keeping in Touch With the Families	How We Try to Help Families How I Cope With the Death of a Patient Strength What We Have Learned from Families Bereavement Resources & Support Programs

Coping with bereavement responses may require consultation with trained mental health professionals. The information provided on this website is not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional care if you have any questions concerning your medical or psychiatric health or the medical or psychiatric health of your child. This website is intended for parents and older adolescents, and contains candid discussions about the impact of childhood death. Young children should not view this site unless they have a parent or therapist present.

Acknowledgements