Making meaning after the death of a child: bereaved parents share their experiences

Some 50,000 families experience the death of a child each year in the United States (Field & Behrman, 2003). Over time, some bereaved families find or develop approaches for "making meaning" from the experience in ways that allow them to maintain a sense of connection to their child, keep the child's memory alive, and help other families who may face similar circumstances. Interviews of three families demonstrate that the process of "making meaning" is individual and often builds on past strengths and interests. The stories shared by these three families demonstrate their individual approaches as well as common themes.