By Mary Catherine Brooks, The Register-Herald
WYOMING COUNTY, W.Va. — Warm, colorful lights sparkle in nearly every window. Christmas carols herald the season of family get-togethers, parties, and other celebrations. Classmates seem to talk of nothing else but the holidays.
For many people, especially children facing the loss of a parent, grandparent or sibling, the holidays are a painful reminder of their loss. There are ways to help children through the season while dealing with their loss.
West Virginia has the highest concentration of bereaved children with 13.7% – or 1 in 7 children – projected to experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18, according to the 2024 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model. Nationwide, the model indicates approximately 8% of children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18 – roughly 1 in 12 children.
No matter how or why a parent or sibling dies, the demise hits family members the same and the holidays seem to magnify that loss.
Why does grief seem worse during the holidays?
“You don’t just lose someone once,” explained Cody Frye, Wyoming County Schools’ Respect and Protect coordinator as well as the counselor at the Alternative Education School.
