Coping With the Death of a Child
Comfort for grieving parents
Bereaved Parents Have Different Needs For Different Situations Everyone is different as to how, when, and if, they will accept comfort over losing a child. The how, where, and when of each loss is different for each situation. A parent mourning the death of a child after a long illness may require a different sort … Continue reading What To Say, (and What Not To Say), To Someone Who Has Lost a Child
In March of 2020, my dear son Jacob unexpectedly passed away at age 24. I carry the grief of his passing constantly. I have the additional anguish of being unable, or not having the opportunity, to talk about my feelings of grief to others. Talking about one’s feelings to others can be emotionally, and even … Continue reading Who Can I Talk To About Child Loss?
Many parents visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) for advice and comfort after losing their child. The Rebbe would respond with patience and empathy, giving words of consolation and encouragement. Here are some of the Rebbe’s insights on the terrible tragedy of child loss. (What follows are not actual quotes, but merely … Continue reading The Rebbe Speaks to Grieving Parents About Child Loss
During the week of shiva for my son Jacob, people were coming to our home saying ‘May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem’. These are the traditional words of consolation said to Jewish mourners. But I would think ‘Thank G-d they never lost a child. They can only imagine what it … Continue reading I Felt I Was Mourning Alone
What's Wrong With What I Want? Before my son passed away, I would always pray that he would get married and have a family. I prayed that his life would be filled with Torah and mitzvos and that he would pass on the mesorah to his children. His sudden passing left me horribly confused. Why … Continue reading A Chassidic Teaching From the Alter Rebbe Comforted Me
Coping With the Death of a Child 