A Practitioner's View of Children Making Spiritual Meanings in Bereavement

Abstract

Little attention has been given to how bereaved children make meaning after the death of someone important to them and how they manage changes in their belief systems and worldviews. Some children, even very young ones, may be challenged in their beliefs about an afterlife or the nature or existence of God. Children may be confused by differing worldviews around them at home, in school, or in their communities. Examples are offered of such crises emerging for children after bereavement and challenges this may present for the practitioner. The article calls for more research in this area to support social workers and other professionals as well as parents in helping bereaved children suffering spiritual dilemmas in bereavement.

KEYWORDS:

• bereavement
• children
• death
• religion
• spiritual pain
• worldview