Grief and Loss

This page contains resources for parents, educators, and professionals serving children and youth in school and out-of-school settings.

Links shared that take users beyond the Pennsylvania Department of Education's website to a non-PDE website, organization, product, process, service, manufacturer, or company do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by PDE, and, PDE is not responsible for the content featured on any of the sites or pages referenced. Educators should be mindful of digital resources that require teachers or students to create online accounts. Please check with district policies and consider HIPPA, FERPA, and COPPA laws with regards to student privacy before implementing any of these resources.

Bo's Place
Bo's Place connects families, educators, and professionals with resources for assisting anyone who has lost someone in their life.

Coalition to Support Grieving Students
Videos and downloadable grief-support modules for school professionals on conversation and support, developmental and cultural considerations, practical considerations, reactions and triggers, professional preparation and self-care, and crisis and special circumstances are available on the Coalition to Support Grieving Students' website.

National Alliance for Grieving Children
The National Alliance for Grieving Children's website provides a network for nationwide communication between hundreds of professionals and volunteers who want to share ideas, information and resources with each other to better support the grieving children and families they serve in their own communities.

National Association of School Psychologists: Addressing Grief
Information and resources for schools and families following the loss of a loved one, or during times of significant life changes, is available on the National Association of School Psychologists website.

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (NCSCB) at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is dedicated to supporting students through crisis and loss.

New York Life Foundation - Regional and National Support
Visit the New York Life Foundation's website for national grief support organizations and contact information.

Additional Resources

• Addressing Grief:  Tips for Teachers and Administrators
  
• Coping with Loss (PDF)
• Coping with the Death of a Student or Staff Member
  
• Dealing with Death a​t School (PDF)
• Guidelines:  Communicating with the Family After a Student has Died (PDF)
• Guidelines for Grief Over Holidays (PDF)
• Guidelines for Student Commemoration (PDF)
• Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death, and Grief: Tips for Teachers and Parents (PDF​)