Have you ever noticed that teenagers are complex creatures? Can you imagine how grief may intensify their already turbulent emotions? Because death often comes as a shock to the loved ones left behind, helping a teenager through this tumultuous time can be a daunting challenge.

Parents and guardians are faced with decisions like keeping a teenager home from school, monitoring their social media usage, or even allowing them to attend the funeral. Can you imagine having to make these decisions in the face of grief?

If you want to learn more about how to help a grieving teenager, then listen to this episode of Forever in their Hearts, where host Erik Reynolds talks with Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services about this family-centric topic.

Grief can affect every aspect of a teenager’s life. This interview is an opportunity to learn how to help grieving teenagers move through those feelings in healthy ways.

How to Discuss Death with Teenagers

Valerie begins the episode by discussing the various types of death a teen might encounter outside of family and beloved family friends.

Then Valerie offers talking points parents might use to help gauge where a teen is before talking to them about death or their grief.

Sometimes teens have unrealistic expectations about experiencing life as a young adult. Grief can be a chance for a parent to impart wisdom about mourning to their grieving teenager.

How Grief Affects Teenagers

Next Valerie discusses how grief affects teenagers. During the podcast she answers questions like:

- How does grief manifest itself in my teenager who is mourning a loss?
- What appetite changes and other signs could my grieving teen display?
- Is it okay for my grieving teenager to stay home alone from school?

Now ask yourself these two things: Could I use help communicating with my grieving teeanger? Do I want to encourage my teen to mourn in healthy ways? If you answered “yes” to either or both, then reaching out to Martin Brothers could help you find the necessary information.

When to Let a Teen Attend a Funeral of a Peer

Then Valerie segues to the topic of teens dealing with the death of a peer and when grieving teens should attend the funeral of a peer.

Valerie then offers one essential tip about grieving teens and funerals that that parents will not want to miss.

When it comes to allowing grieving teens to spend time with their friends, Valerie supports the idea. She offers tips to prevent to help prevent peers from becoming a substitute for parents.

The episode wraps up with Valerie sharing her finale thoughts about how to help a grieving teenager.

Do You Know a Grieving Teenager?

Are you the parent or guardian of a teenager? Do you want sage advice from someone with firsthand experience of helping teens as they grieve? Please ask questions and share your comments or experiences below so we can discuss them together.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1

Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1