Along with the rest of the country, we’re saddened upon hearing the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
The death of someone in the public eye can impact us all. This might be the first time a child is experiencing a death, or it might bring up feelings and emotions of previous bereavement. This will be different for everyone, but can feel quite confusing.
When someone in the public eye, especially as prominent as the Queen dies, the news coverage is significant. Everyone is talking about it. So, it can be helpful for you to talk with your children about this too, to help them to understand. Following the death of the Queen, the country goes into 10 days of national mourning, leading up to the funeral. The funeral is likely to be heavily televised.
Following the death of anyone, children can become worried that the same is going to happen to other important people in their lives. It can be helpful to reassure children, where possible that this isn’t about to happen. It is important, however, not to make impossible promises.
We have guidance sheets on our website here, which share things to be considerate of in this situation. Use clear and concise language. Avoid using words or phrases like ‘loss’ or ‘gone away’. Although it can feel a bit clinical, using factual words like ‘death’ and ‘died’ can be a lot clearer and easier to understand for children.
Children may have lots of questions about the Queen’s death. These questions may crop up very quickly after they hear the news, or they may think about it for a while and ask questions later. This is true also when anyone important in your child’s life dies. Everyone reacts differently to these things, after all. Children particularly can react to grief quite differently to adults, and might show outward signs of grief one minute and the next they are playing happily with a sibling again.
Children will look to significant adults around them to help in understanding what has happened and why they are feeling how they are. It’s helpful for children to know that it’s okay for them to talk with you about their feelings. It can also help for them to hear that everyone grieves differently, in their own way and on their own timeframe too. This is perfectly normal, and okay. You might also like to share how the news has affected you. This can help to normalise these feelings.
If you would like to talk with one of the team here at Guy’s Gift to find out how we can offer support for grieving children and young people, please get in touch by calling 0845 467 3035 or email info@guysgift.co.uk
