The Forgotten Mourners: Supporting Grieving Siblings Through Child Loss

The night my daughter, Poppy, had to take a back seat out of necessity was the night I had to rush to the aid of my critically ill newborn son, Barrett. As Barrett was transferred and placed on a high level of life support, we didn’t know if he would survive the night. Poppy was in the care of dear friends and family, but no amount of love could replace our presence. We simply couldn’t be in two places at once—no matter how much we wished we could.

Our daughter was our world, but when a child is fighting for their life, they inevitably receive more attention. That painful reality continued through the horrible day we lost Barrett forever. Our grief was overwhelming—what started as hours of mourning became days, months, and now years. Looking back, we see how grieving siblings—the forgotten mourners—can unintentionally be left behind in the overwhelming emotions of loss.

Poppy was too young to fully understand what had happened, but she felt the loss deeply. She was sad, angry, frustrated, and confused. She acted out, expressing her grief in the only way she knew how. As parents, we did what we could, but we quickly realized we didn’t have the right resources to help her navigate a world without her brother. It was never going to be enough. Like so many grieving siblings, she was left to process emotions that were bigger than her young heart could hold.

At Blessings for Barrett, we recognize the deep impact sibling loss has on children. That’s why we provide sibling grief boxes, quarterly remembrance projects, and hospital sibling bags to support children who have lost a brother or sister. This often-overlooked population deserves comfort, validation, and resources to navigate their grief.

If you’re searching for grief support for children, helping kids cope with sibling loss, or resources for families grieving a child, we are here to help.

-Tyler Bone