Helping a child understand grief can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re walking through it yourself. Below are books and Bible verses thoughtfully chosen to guide meaningful conversations, bring comfort, and offer hope as a child processes loss.
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
Psalm 73:23 (NIV)
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help you.
Job 11:18a (NIV)
You will be secure, because there is hope.
Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Job 8:21 (NIV)
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)
The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
John 16:33 (NIV)
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Psalm 30:5b (NIV)
Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 56:8 NLT
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Cover your children, grandchildren, or students in prayer with this 31-day calendar of powerful Bible verses. Each day focuses on themes like wisdom, courage, love, and godly character, praying for spiritual guidance and strength for the next generation.
The Goodbye Book by Todd Parr offers a simple, comforting approach to saying goodbye, whether it’s due to loss or a temporary parting. With a straightforward narrative, it helps children understand the feelings that come with goodbyes, offering reassurance that it’s okay to be sad but eventually you will start feeling better.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst follows brother and sister twins who learn about the unbreakable connection they share with loved ones through an invisible string. Their mother reassures them that this string keeps them connected, even when they are apart. This touching story helps children understand and cope with feelings of separation, grief, and anxiety.
The Good for Nothing Puddle is a powerful book that helps children understand the emotions of grief and how beauty can be found in hard times. Written by Jana Jackson, a mother of four girls who lost her husband, this story gently opens the door for you and a child to talk about feelings of loss. I highly recommend it for ages 4 and up.
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By Lisa Tawn Bergren, God Gave Us Heaven shares the story of a young bear asking about heaven. He discovers that heaven is a place of love and joy where people live with God forever. The book offers reassurance and encourages children to trust in God’s promises about eternity.
For elementary-aged children, The Memory Box by Joanna Rowland helps children understand and cope with the loss of a loved one through the story of a young girl who creates a memory box to remember her loved one. It offers a gentle and loving way to process grief while emphasizing the importance of holding on to precious memories.
Goodbye to Goodbyes by Lauren Chandler retells the biblical story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. In a simple and meaningful way, it explains how Jesus said goodbye, died, and rose again—then said goodbye once more when He returned to Heaven. The book gently teaches that while we experience goodbyes with those we love, there will come a day when goodbyes will be no more.
