We’re sharing our stories for Children’s Grief Awareness Week.

The week encourages people to share, so young people don’t feel alone.

A gentle warning: These quotes touch on grief and loss, and some people may find them emotional to read.

Quotes from Staff members at Penhaligon’s Friends:

“Although bereavement can feel very out of our control, I have found it helpful to realise that loss does not have to define us or our children.

Grief will be a thread woven into my child’s life for ever, and we will never forget, but my child will be known for much more than that.

Their achievements, their great sense of humour, their compassion and so many more wonderful things.

Not letting grief define us does not mean we grieve less.”

“When I lost Dad, I found it hard to talk about at first because I didn’t know many people my age who had lost a parent. It was challenging to lose such a significant person in my life, feeling like no-one could relate and not knowing others who’d experienced the same.

I spoke with people around me, some who also opened up about loved ones who had died, and I found comfort in realising I wasn’t alone.

I still try to share stories as often as I can, about him and the times he made us all laugh. Although certain days can be difficult, sharing has made me realise I have a huge community of support, and people to cheer me up when times get tough.”

“I still don’t have the words to describe the anguish of losing my son. It is such a cliche, but there truly are no words.

I will always be grateful to the lovely people who were able to be alongside me in those darkest of days. It was their presence, not their words that mattered most. Knowing I wasn’t alone helped me to bear the unbearable and to take those baby steps back into life.

Being able to connect with people who have lost loved ones in my work at Penhaligon’s Friends is something I am so very grateful for. The small part I play allows me to live out my son’s legacy by being alongside others, as others were for me.”

“I think I was about 10 years old when I first experienced the death of a loved one, it was one of my grandparents. I remember going to their funeral and it being one of the most difficult things I’d ever had to go through. I didn’t know what to expect even though it had been explained to me beforehand. I remember being uncontrollably upset and the more I’d tried to hold it in, the harder it got.

I wish I could’ve had somewhere like Penhaligon’s Friends to help support me through this experience. The advice that we share with families would have been so useful to me and may have helped prepare me more.”

“One of my best friends died a couple of years ago and I still miss him terribly.

He loved being outdoors and in nature so sometimes I feel that he comes with me when I go for a walk or am doing the gardening. I often talk about him to others. when thoughts of him pop into my head, I mention it – it helps me feel that he isn’t only in my past, but that he has a huge impact on the me that I am becoming.”

“From my experience grief has a way of catching us off guard. One moment you feel fine, and the next, a familiar scent or song pulls you back into the pain. That’s okay. Healing isn’t a straight path; it’s a journey with ups and downs.

On the hard days, remind yourself: you’re allowed to feel what you feel. Share your thoughts with someone you trust and never be afraid to ask for support. If you’re struggling, think about what you’d say to a close friend—then offer that same kindness to yourself.

Most importantly, remember, things do change. You won’t always feel this way. Better days are ahead.”

If you’re affected by any of the topics we’ve shared in this post, Penhaligon’s Friends is always here.

If you ever feel your child, young person or family needs support, you can give us a call on 01209 215889/210624 or contact us on enquiries@penhaligonsfriends.org.uk