Death Is No Stranger: Helping Children Grieve

The death of a loved one is a traumatic, life-altering experience at any time in our lives. However, it can be especially harrowing when the one left behind is a child. These children must face the difficult reality of mortality without the coping mechanisms we gain as we mature. Therefore, it is up to us as adults to aid and guide these little ones through this experience, loving and supporting them along the way. But how do we begin?Death Is No Stranger, Cynthia Long Lasher offers resources and guidance for aiding in grief ministry to children, allowing them to adapt in a healthy manner to the reality of life without a loved one while still allowing them to remain what they are — children. This is an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, ministers, and others who interact with children during times of loss.This resource will guide the reader through the process of aiding children in their grief, covering such topics as: Talking To Children About Death How Children Understand Death Defining Grief and Mourning, and Types of Grief Reactions God calls us to protect and care for our children. Death Is No Stranger gives direction on how to care for children in these difficult circumstances. Most importantly, this book helps us during times of loss to guide children to God, who loves them most of all.Cynthia Long Lasher is the Grief Support Specialist and Program Coordinator for Shenandoah Valley Grief Services, part of Lutheran Family Services of Virginia. She is also the copastor for Grief Ministry at Christ Lutheran Church in Staunton, Virginia. She has served in pastoral positions in other Lutheran churches in Virginia and Pennsylvania. She received her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina, and her Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. She and her husband, John, live in Waynesboro, Virginia.