February 25, 2025 / News & Blog
Data from this report was collected through a search of available literature. The research was supported by funding from the New York Life Foundation.
Experiencing the death of a loved one is a distressingly common reality for children. The most recent data from Judi’s House (an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive support services to grieving children and their families) indicates that one in twelve children in the US will lose either a parent or a sibling by the time they turn eighteen (Judi’s House, 2024). Rates of bereavement are even higher for children in racially and ethnically minoritized groups, and for those living in socioeconomically marginalized families.
Children’s museums can help facilitate bereaved children’s grieving processes. In support of this goal, this Trends report presents key research findings from the literature on bereaved children. As the first in a new series focusing on childhood bereavement, this report offers a foundation for bereavement interventions by explaining key concepts, highlighting bereaved children’s needs, and sharing general information on the kinds of experiences and supports that can help children overcome the grief associated with the death of a loved one
