In the Spring of 2022, the Tribute Foundation Board approved a partnership with the National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG). The NACG is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. Through their members’ and partners’ collective voices, they educate, advocate, and raise awareness about childhood bereavement. The NACG is a nationwide network comprised of professionals, institutions, and volunteers who promote best practices, educational programming, and critical resources to facilitate the mental, emotional, and physical health of grieving children and their families.

As part of the partnership, the NACG has provided a resource toolkit for professionals and families. The toolkit includes:

• Grief is an intricate collection of emotions that can weave through the fabric of our lives. While grief is often associated with adulthood, it is important to acknowledge the presence of grief within the hearts of children. End of life memorials and rituals can be difficult for a child to fully understand or participate in, but there are ways to aid them through this process.
  Download Children and End of Life Memorials/Rituals for more.
  
• Attending a funeral can be a profoundly challenging and emotionally charged experience for people of all ages. However, when it comes to children, the weight of grief and the unfamiliarity of funeral homes can make the process even more overwhelming. Therefore, it is crucial to create a safe and supportive environment for children within funeral homes. Download Creating Space for Children in a Funeral Home for more.

“We’re pleased to continue this partnership,” said Michael J. Gorton, Jr., CFSP, NYS Tribute Foundation Chair. “The partnership started with a session at Convention and then an educational webinar in the fall, both receiving tremendous feedback. This toolkit is just another resource designed to help our members effectively provide grief support for children experiencing loss.”