Grief and Bereavement Resources for School Counselors
Supporting a grieving student is one of the most significant things a school counselor does. The conversations are hard. The kid in front of you is dealing with something most adults still don't have language for. And there's rarely a manual.
These resources are the ones I reach for. Tools that give structure when everything feels unstructured, ways for kids to express what's often very hard to say, and language that respects the weight of what they're carrying.
What's in the collection
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understanding and naming feelings of loss
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processing grief through structured activities and expressive tools
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coping skills for managing grief in school settings
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helping students understand different types of loss
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supporting students returning to school after a loss
Why these resources
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made for school counselors, not as a substitute for clinical grief therapy
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appropriate for elementary and middle school
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printable and digital formats
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sensitive to the range of losses students experience: pet loss, family changes, bereavement
A note from me
Grief work is some of the most consequential and most exhausting work we do. If you're holding a heavy caseload of it right now, please take care of yourself too. These resources are here to take some of the prep work off your plate so you can focus on the kid in front of you.
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CTA
Browse the collection below. For related resources, see the feelings check-in collection. Tools for emotional identification often work well as an entry point for grief conversations.
FAQs
How do school counselors support grieving students?
School counselors support grieving students through regular check-ins, individual sessions, and structured activities that help students name and process their feelings. Our role is to provide a safe, consistent presence and practical tools, not to replace grief therapy, but to make sure the student feels supported within the school environment.
What grief resources are appropriate for elementary students?
Age-appropriate grief resources for elementary students typically use visual tools, simple language, and expressive activities (drawing, writing, structured discussion) rather than abstract concepts. Feelings-based tools work especially well as an entry point for grief conversations with younger children.
Showing 10 products
This middle school grief and loss curriculum is designed to be used with students in a tier III individual setting. Do you work with students who are experiencing grief? This 6 session individual counseling curriculum will help students define grief and...
Grief and loss can be challenging topics to discuss with students. This grief workbook is designed to help students express how they are feeling about a loss, reflect on their positive memories, and make a coping plan for when they...
Looking for low-prep counseling activities to use with the students in an individual counseling setting? This individual counseling curriculum bundle is designed to be used with students in a tier III individual setting. Through engaging activities, crafts, and games, students...
Looking for low-prep counseling activities to use with the students in an individual counseling setting? Need to make sure all of your curriculum follows research-based best practices? This individual counseling curriculum bundle is designed to be used with students in a tier...
This 6-week children of incarcerated parents small group is designed to help students cope with the loss of a parent or guardian due to prison. Within this comprehensive resource, you'll find lesson plans, activities, interactive worksheets, and more. This curriculum includes everything...
Looking for an easy way to measure student progress? This editable grief self-assessment will help you track data from your school counseling groups and individual sessions. Self-assessments provide an easy way to track student progress which is essential in order...
Memory Keepers grief counseling group is designed for students suffering from a loss due to death, divorce, or incarceration. Each week students will learn to better manage and cope with the feelings associated with grief and loss. Memory Keepers is...
Grief and loss can be challenging topics to discuss with students. This game is designed to help students discuss their grief experience and the feelings associated with their loss. This grief and loss game can be used with a school...
This grief and loss curriculum is designed to be used with students in a tier III individual setting. Through engaging activities, crafts, and games, students will learn the strategies and coping skills they need to help cope with their loss....
Start tough conversations with these divorce conversation cards! Includes 24 cards in color and B&W Topics: - Changing Roles and Responsibilities - Feelings of Grief and Loss - Stuck in the Middle - Everyday Life These can be used in...