ABSTRACT
The clergyperson is in an excellent position to offer guidance and support to both parents and children during times of death and grief. The clergyperson's willingness and capacity to be with the family during times of grief can be difficult, time-consuming, and emotionally draining, however, this time can be among the most rewarding of caregiving opportunities. Clergypersons have the opportunity to provide comprehensive, continuous care to bereaved families while embracing the reality that children are frequently the forgotten grievers. Any child, regardless of chronological age, that is capable of loving is capable of grieving. Observers expecting to see grief expressed in children in the same way adults mourn may unfortunately assume that children are not influenced by the death. Children do appear to proceed from little or no understanding of death to recognition of the concept in realistic form. Experiences with loss and grief are an integral part of the natural development and growth of the child and the family.
