Sympathy Gift
For a Child Who Lost a Parent

Caring for the Young One

When a parent dies, a child suffers an unforgettable loss. It is emotionally devastating and can come at a time when the child doesn’t have a way to cope or even understand the concept of death. You can help memorialize his/her parent with a sympathy gift for a child who lost a parent. In the years to come, as their own memories fade, a thoughtful bereavement gift can be treasured for the legacy it provides.

Memories Stored for the Very Young

You might think that because a child is young, they won’t understand the gift. Children less than five years of age don’t understand death as a finality, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving them a sympathy gift that can help them remember their parent when they get older. They will appreciate the thoughtfulness you put into preserving their parent’s memories when they were too young to completely understand their loss.

What to Include

• For the very young, you can include pictures and stories of their parent that they can look at or read.

• If the children are older, you can include items like blank journals for them to write their own memories. Start it off with one of your stories.

• You can start a scrapbook that they can finish. You might include items to soothe them in the coming days, like chocolates and stuffed toys.

What to Save from Home

It may be difficult as the surviving spouse to save items that remind you of your loss, but it’s important for the children. Some people save personal effects in a box for the children to have when they get older. Write down their favorites from candies to colors so that the children can get a sense of their parent’s personality.

Help the Family Financially

A family suffering the loss of a parent can be devastated financially.