Children often feel a mix of emotions after someone important dies. Sad one moment, confused the next, and sometimes unsure of how to talk about any of it. A grief journal can give them a gentle place to put those feelings in their own words and drawings without pressure or expectations.

This resource is for adults supporting children aged 8-12. The prompts are simple and calming, and children can return to them as often as they need to. Many of the pages repeat, so children can use the same prompts week by week and notice how feelings shift or settle over time.

It’s a steady, comforting way to help a child understand their grief. Not all at once, but little by little.

A grief journal is a private space where children can write, draw or scribble whatever is on their mind. It isn’t schoolwork, and it isn’t something they must do every day. It’s something they can turn to when their feelings are confusing or uncomfortable, or when they want a quiet moment to remember someone they love.

For adults, a grief journal can be a gentle way to support a child without putting them under pressure to talk before they’re ready. It can also help them understand what the child might be struggling with or thinking about, so they can offer comfort and reassurance.

Ultimately, the journal belongs to the child. But adults are there to guide, encourage and hold the space around it.

Children often feel more relaxed when they know there are no expectations placed on them. With this grief journal, it’s important they understand that anything goes. There is no strict order, no timescale, no requirement to complete it. They can open it whenever something feels heavy or when they want to remember someone special.

They can –

• Write whenever they feel like it, whether that’s every day or once a month

• Draw pictures instead of writing words

• Fill a whole page or just write one sentence

• Skip pages and come back later

• Keep it completely private unless they choose to share

Below, we’ve outlined some sections and prompts for the grief journal to help your child get started.

Recognising emotions is an important part of grief, but many children struggle with finding the vocabulary to describe how they feel. That’s why check-in pages are so helpful. They give children small, manageable ways to pause and think about what’s happening inside them.

Some key prompts for these check in pages include –

• Today I feel…

• One thing that helped me today was…

• Something I wish I could say is…

Over time, these pages can help children notice patterns. Moments when they feel supported, moments when certain days are harder and moments when small things make a difference. This helps build emotional understanding and confidence.

Remembering the person who died is an important part of healing. Many children worry that they will forget small details, or they don’t know how to bring memories into conversations with adults who may also be grieving. A grief journal creates a safe, steady place where memories can live without pressure.

Memory pages should be warm, gentle and open-ended. Some prompts include –

• A memory that makes me smile…

• Something I really miss…

• Something they used to say…

• Something I want to remember forever…

Children can also use these pages for drawings, photos, stickers or little things that remind them of the person they lost. This allows them to explore their grief creatively and maintain connection in a way that feels comforting rather than overwhelming.

Some feelings, like anger, fear, guilt or worry, can feel frightening, especially after someone dies. Children may believe these feelings are wrong or that they shouldn’t talk about them. But safe feelings pages help them make sense of big emotions, understand that they’re normal and think about what helps when those feelings show up.

Helpful prompts include –

• When I feel worried, it helps when…

• When I feel sad, I usually…

• When I feel angry, I can…

• People who help me feel safe are…

These prompts teach children that emotions are manageable, not dangerous. They also encourage children to notice the people, activities or small strategies that support them.

Children often worry about upsetting adults who are already grieving. They may hide their feelings, keep questions to themselves or pretend they’re okay when they’re not. Giving them a page titled ‘things I want grown-ups to know’ helps open a gentle doorway.

Try the following prompts –

• Sometimes I need…

• It helps when adults…

• Please remember…

• It’s hard for me when…

This provides a safe way for children to express needs they might otherwise keep quiet. If they choose to share this section, it can help adults understand how to support them better.

Letter-writing is one of the most powerful tools in a grief journal. It gives children a way to speak to the person they miss, express unfinished thoughts or share everyday experiences they wish they could tell them about.

Some prompts for the beginning of letters include –

• Dear ____ ,

• I wish you knew…

• Today I thought about…

• If we could talk, I would tell you…

There’s no right way to write these letters. Some children will write one sentence, while others might fill pages. The purpose is expression.

This part of the journal helps children see that even while they are grieving, they are still growing and learning. It gently shows them that their story isn’t only made up of painful moments – there are also people who care for them, and small pieces of life they can still look forward to.

Here are some prompts you can try –

• Something that helps me feel hopeful is…

• Someone who makes me feel supported is…

• A strength I’ve discovered in myself is…

• Something I’m looking forward to…

Noticing the small things that help on difficult days can make children feel a little more steady as they move through their grief.

Some children find comfort in having a space where a trusted adult can write a few gentle words just for them.

This page is completely optional, and it should only be used if the child feels happy for someone to add a message. But for some, knowing that an adult has taken the time to write something kind or encouraging can bring a sense of safety and closeness during a very difficult time.

If an adult is invited to write here, they might begin with simple openings such as –

• A message for you…

• Something I admire about you…

• What I hope for you…

A short note like this can reassure a child that they are supported, seen and not facing their grief on their own.

Grief changes over time, and children often notice and feel different things as the weeks pass. That’s why the journal isn’t meant to be filled in just once. All of the prompts can be used again and again, whenever the child feels ready.

Coming back to the same questions each week can help children see how their thoughts and feelings shift. Some entries might look very similar, while others might feel completely different. There’s no right pattern and no expectation. What matters is giving the child space to notice what’s happening inside them, at their own pace.

A grief journal can help children explore their feelings, remember someone they love and find moments of calm during a very difficult time. But no child or family should have to cope with loss on their own. If you feel that a child needs more support, The Laura Centre is here to help.

If you’d like to make a referral or find out more, call us on 0116 254 4341 or email us via info@thelauracentre.org.uk.