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The Cedar Valley Hospice Eucalyptus Tree Program provides free grief support services to young people and families who have experienced a death. A major focus of this program is education and dispelling myths related to children's grief. Keep reading to learn the truth about children's grief.
MYTH: Children only grieve when they reach a certain age.
FACT: Children grieve at all ages. Their age can determine how their
grief manifests.
MYTH: It is better to shield children from loss.
FACT: Children are very perceptive. If children are shielded from a loss and not told what happened, they will fill in the details using their imaginations.
MYTH: Children should not go to funerals.
FACT: There is no "rule" stating if children should or shouldn't go to funerals. Discuss what a funeral is and what to expect with the child to allow them to make the best decision for them and the family.
MYTH: For youth, talking is the most effective therapeutic approach in dealing with loss.
FACT: Many young children process the loss through play and make-believe. Talking may be beneficial for older children and teenagers.
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