St. Peter's Episcopal Church One Body of transformation embracing all people through Christ's love

The Buddy Club

Support for Children Who Are Grieving

The Buddy Club is a bereavement support group for children (ages 4-17) who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or other family member. The group meets monthly, and refreshments are served.

Because children naturally express their feelings during play, the group uses arts and craft activities to encourage open communication and sharing. Conversations center around the common feelings about the loss of a significant loved one.

Professional staff members lead the Buddy Club. Support also is available for the adults who accompany the Buddy Club members. For more information, please call 864-322-2796.

Children Grieve, Too.

The Buddy Club is an opportunity for bereaved children to be with other grieving children in a non-threatening environment. It’s a time to share feelings, to learn that their feelings are normal, and to realize that they will survive the pain and confusion that death can bring.

When a loved one dies, a child feels the loss and responds in his or her own way. Children may become withdrawn and clingy and may regress to an earlier stage of development. They may misbehave in response to overwhelming feelings of anger, guilt, fear, and confusion. Like adults, children need to know that grieving is normal and that they are not crazy or “bad.”

Ways to help a grieving child:

• Listen carefully to your child to determine what your child does or does not understand

• Tell your child honestly that the loved one died: Use the word “died” or “dead”

• Avoid euphemisms such as “gone,” sleeping,” “passed away,” “lost,” or “planted in the ground”

• Explain as many times as the child asks what “dead” means

• Reassure your child that he or she will not be abandoned by everyone

• Explain which adults will now always be available to him or her

• Explain your beliefs about death, heaven, and angels in simple terms appropriate to your child's

age and understanding

• Teach your child appropriate ways to express sadness, anger, fear, and confusion, and that it’s ` OK to feel that way: Cry with each other; talk about feelings together; draw pictures

• Talk about your loved one and memories shared:

• Help your child remember — tell stories, make a memory book

• Give your child a picture or another remembrance that he or she can carry all the time

• Explain to your child’s teacher what has happened

• Let your child be a child: playful, tearful, laughing, angry, quiet, loud, and loved

Growing In The Garden

Several years ago, St. Peter's and the Buddy Club created the Garden of Healing and Remembrance. It is a place of reflection and solitude where grieving folks can go to remember loved ones or just enjoy the beauty of nature. The Garden continues to grow and prosper.

Working in the garden is a healing experience for the children as well as a learning experience.

Next spring we invite you to visit the Garden and enjoy the beauty,