ABSTRACT
This chapter provides therapists with tools to explore children's and families' religious and/or spiritual beliefs in counseling following the death of a parent. Concrete guidelines are included to help children understand physical death as a separate concept from their spiritual beliefs. It is important to respect the family's belief system, and encourage parents to explain their beliefs in simple terms young children can understand. Therapists help children by encouraging them to share their memories of the person who has died in ways that help them keep these memories alive in both their hearts and heads. As a follow-up to The Lion King music activity, therapists might use lion and other animal puppets to engage the children in further discussions. With the song 'Circle of Life', the family was able to get in touch with how they are connected to many people who mean so much to them.
