“WHEN SOMEBODY DIES” has been created by a Working Party of Rainbows South Yorkshire, one of the regions of Rainbows GB. Much of the material for this CD resource is adapted from Robin Cooper’s work with the permission of his widow, Lucy and the permission and advice of Michael Shaw of Matthew James Publishing Ltd.
INTRODUCTION, RATIONALE & CONTENTS:
“When Somebody Dies” has been created by Rainbows South Yorkshire, one of the regions of Rainbows GB, an international not-for-profit organisation that fosters emotional healing among children, young people and adults grieving a death, separation, desertion, divorce or any other painful, life changing transition.
Our purpose in creating this very practical, user friendly resource is threefold:
- To assist schools review their policy and procedures for “When Somebody Dies”
- To support schools to respond appropriately when learning of the death of a member of the school community
- To affirm and advise schools in their important on-going work with those who grieve
Our hope in creating this resource is that:
- Schools will make use of the CD rom to review their experiences, their current policy and existing procedures
- Schools will create or amend their own policy and procedures for ‘Responding To Bereavement’ by making use of the model frameworks, model procedures, case studies and sample letters etc simply by ‘cutting and pasting’ and then adapting material from the CD
- Schools will ensure that their agreed procedures, together with additional guidance material is available on the school network, thereby ensuring that should the school be plunged into grief, the response will be a planned, tested and considered one.
Every school has regular fire drills and clear policies and procedures for reacting to fire and other emergencies. Equally, every school has child safeguarding policies and procedures in place – it would be unthinkable not to. In the same way, we believe it is desirable that in the event of the school community being plunged into grief, the response by the school is a planned, tested and considered one. An impulse response could make the situation worse for all concerned. We believe that every school should have procedures in place to be followed at such times, thereby avoiding possible panic while allowing grief to be expressed.
Death is the inevitable end of life but it is not a subject that is easily talked about. Its unpredictability can cause severe distress and shock and disturb the whole school community.
“When Somebody Dies” has been prepared by experienced professionals for such situations. We offer it not as another burden but as practical support in recognition of the demands made upon schools at such times. Our hope is simply to offer realistic, practical assistance to further deepen the sensitive and professional support schools offer to those who grieve.
CONTENTS of the CD:
1. Review of school experiences, policy and procedures for “WHEN SOMEBODY DIES”
- Staff Reflection: an opening reflection to share with staff
- Guidance for staff/governor meeting: responding sensitively and professionally to a death in the community
- Framework for a school policy:
- Responding to Bereavement.
2. Practical Guidance and Support for “WHEN SOMEBODY DIES"
- Receiving sad news: action to consider
- Breaking sad news to staff, parents and children and young people
- Sample memos and letters
- Words and prayers to consider
- Attitudes to death
- Memorials and funeral services
- Contacts
- Helping parents help children / Leaflet
3. Additional Resources
- Case Studies
- Reactions to Grief / The Grieving Process
- Children and young people’s understanding, needs and reactions to death
- Anticipated Death and Anticipatory Grief
4. Helpful Websites and Bibliography
5. Rainbows
6. Evaluation, Feedback and Contact Details
7. Acknowledgements
The material on the CD may be freely adapted by schools. We encourage each school to consider how they would react and respond “WHEN SOMEBODY DIES”, and to have plans and procedures in place, thereby avoiding possible panic, while allowing grief to be expressed.
