Ready for Father’s Day, Jane our Bereavement and Counselling Services Manager, has shared advice from Winston Wish on how to remember Dad.
“We know that on occasions like Father’s Day bereaved young people can feel particularly isolated. They often tell us that their friends stop talking about the person who has died and that teachers no longer ask how they’re doing as time passes.
Very often these young people want to keep talking about that person, especially on Father’s Day itself, but to do so they need help and support.”
10 ways to remember Dads this Father’s Day recommended by Winston’s Wish – Child Bereavement Service
- Take a special card to his grave – or to where his ashes were buried or scattered
- Tie your Father’s Day card or a special message to a helium balloon and let it soar into the sky
- Blow some bubbles and send him your love on the wind
- Plant some bulbs or a shrub in a place that holds special memories of your Dad – what was his
favourite colour ? - Have his
favourite meal – Risotto? Roast dinner? Curry? - Listen to his
favourite music – (however awful his taste was!) - Begin to make a memory box in which to keep things that remind you of him – photos, shells, holiday snaps, glasses, silly tie etc.
- Make or buy a new frame for your
favourite photograph of him – what was he doing? - Ask your Nan or Grandad for their memories of Dad as a little boy, and/or your Mum for her memories of when she and Dad met
- Write him a letter or a poem or a song. Maybe you could start with something like ‘If you came back for just 5 minutes, I’d tell you….’
If you would like some support for yourself or your children please contact our Bereavement Service on 01273 273400 or email bereavement@martlets.org.uk
Helpful books to support children who are grieving
Useful Services and information:
Cruse Bereavement Service
www.cruse.org.uk/Children/loss-from-childs-perspective
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish has a wealth of resources and advice on how to support your child through bereavement, whilst also dealing with your own grief. They also have a free phone helpline you can call.
Childhood Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
