Father’s Day is supposed to be day of celebration, but for children who have lost their dad or father figure, it’s a painful reminder of their absence. While others are making cards and planning special moments, grieving children may feel isolated, confused or even overwhelmed by emotions they don’t yet know how to process – even if it’s been several years since their dad died. 

As caregivers, educators and supporters, it’s important that we create enough space this Father’s Day for children to process and express their feelings. This blog explores ways in which you can offer meaningful support and help grieving children feel seen and heard during a difficult time.  

Recognising the signs of grief in children 

Grief doesn’t always look the same in children as it does in adults. Some become quiet or withdrawn, while others act out or become angry. Sleep disturbances, changes in appetite or sudden emotional outbursts can all be signs of suppressed grief. Other signs of grief in children include: 

• Experience extreme emotions, such as crying one moment and playing the next 

• Refusing to talk about their feelings 

• Wanting to get into an adult’s bed 

• Displaying regressive behaviours, like bed-wetting or thumb sucking 

• Having nightmares 

Being aware of these signals can help you respond with empathy rather than discipline or dismissal. 

How to support grieving children on Father’s Day

Finding ways to navigate grief doesn’t have to mean ignoring or forgetting about the person who died. This is especially true of someone as important as a beloved father. Your children might take comfort from doing something their dad loved – such as listening to his favourite album, baking his favourite cake or watching his favourite film.  

Father’s Day is also the perfect opportunity to spend some time doing an activity their dad enjoyed. Every dad is different, but this could be golfing, walking along the beach or going to the cinema. 

Create a safe space for expression 

Encouraging children to talk about their feelings without pressure is essential. This could mean setting aside quiet time to reflect on precious memories, asking them to draw how they’re feeling or simply being present and ready to listen whenever they want to talk. Some children may not have the words to say, “I’m sad” or “I miss him,”. Non-verbal expression therefore sometimes feels safer, especially for younger children who may not have the words to articulate complex emotions. Some examples include: 

• Drawing a picture of a special memory they have of their dad 

• Using colours to represent how they’re feeling inside 

• Playing with toys to act out feelings or scenarios 

• Writing a letter to their dad, read our blog on writing letters to a loved one

• Building something with blocks or clay to represent a memory or feeling 

• Music or dance, where they move in ways that reflect their mood 

These creative outlets help children process grief, which can be especially helpful for younger kids who don’t quite understand death or those who struggle to talk about loss. 

Find ways to honour Dad

Helping your children find ways to remember and celebrate their dad can bring a lot of comfort – especially on Father’s Day. Simple ideas include creating a memory box, lighting a candle, planting something in Dad’s honour or sharing stories and happy memories as a family. This experience helps children maintain a connection to their dad in a way that feels comforting instead of overwhelmingly sad and upsetting. 

Talk about Dad 

When someone as important as a father passes away, it’s natural for children to avoid talking about him. The pain is often too overwhelming. But gently encouraging them to share memories or speak about their dad can help keep his presence and spirit alive. These conversations, even when they lead to tough questions about his death, are an important part of the healing process. By talking openly about loss, we help children understand that grief is a natural process and that remembering their dad as he lived, not just as someone who died, is a meaningful way to keep his memory close to them. 

Write a Father’s Day card

Some schools and nurseries hold card-making activities in the run-up to Father’s Day. This can be a tough experience for children who have just lost their dad, but it can also be a lovely way for them to honour them. The card can form part of a memory box – or you can even place it next to a lit candle as a way to remember him on the day. You could also place it on the fridge via a magnet to raise a smile whenever you go about your normal routine. 

Join us

Many children and young adults find comfort and guidance from people they already know and trust. However, if your child needs additional support around the topic of death, Child Bereavement UK has several resources that can help them cope and understand, including short animated films, books and resources, helplines and even face-to-face support.  

On Sunday June 15^th, join us in your local Park for our annual Father’s Day Event, where you’ll have the opportunity to remember and reflect in the beauty of our nature-rich surroundings. Everyone is welcome!  

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As we approach Father’s Day, we are reminded of loved ones who are no longer with us. Whether you’ve lost a child or a significant father figure in your life, Father’s Day is a time to cherish those memories we hold dear. Sadly, it can also be a day tinged with grief and sadness, where even the smallest things serve as reminders of those who are no longer with us. 

If you’re attempting to come to terms with a loss this Father’s Day or want to try and work through some complicated thoughts and feelings, you might find writing a letter helps with the grieving process. Writing a letter isn’t easy, so we’ve got some tips and advice on how to approach it, along with some ideas on things you might want to include. 

Find a quiet, comfortable space 

Before you put pen to paper, you’ll benefit from finding a quiet, comfortable spot to write in where you won’t be distracted or interrupted. To help with the writing process, you might want to change into your comfiest clothes, brew yourself a cup of tea and throw on a blanket to keep you warm – anything that makes you feel relaxed.  

You might also want to place a photo of your father or father figure nearby to help remind yourself of why you’re writing the letter. Have some tissues to hand, too, as letter writing can be an emotional experience. 

Grab a notebook and a nice pen or pencil 

You could craft your letter using your laptop, computer, or smartphone, but you’ll find using a nice pen or pencil and a notebook creates a much more personal experience and helps you connect more closely to the words. Gel or ballpoint pens are designed to glide across the paper, producing a smooth and pleasant writing experience.  

What to write in your letter 

Your letter is your opportunity to reflect on precious memories and keep your loved one’s spirit alive. It’s also your chance to say goodbye. The best advice we have is to let the words come naturally. Try not to force your thoughts or overthink the content. It might take you a while to get started, but once you do, you might find the words come easier than you think.  

Here are some things you might want to include: 

• Special memories 

• Things you wish you’d said to your loved one when they were still alive 

• Things you miss about them and how much you miss them 

• Events or occasions that have happened since their passing 

• Updates in your life that you want to share with them 

• What you’ll remember about them 

• How they touched your life 

• How you feel about their death in the moment of writing 

Say goodbye 

If it feels right, remember to include a goodbye at the end of the letter. This won’t be easy, but it may help to give you closure. Saying goodbye can also be cathartic, giving you space to start moving on with your life.  

Your goodbye doesn’t need to be definitive. Your message could be something as simple as “I’ll see you soon” or “Until we meet again”. Dr. Suess famously wrote, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” Many people take comfort from this sentiment – perhaps you will, too.  

What to do to the letter afterwards 

Once you’ve written your letter, you’ll need to decide what to do with it. You might want to put it in a special memory box related to your loved one. Or you could seal it in an envelope and keep it somewhere safe. If you’re writing the letter before the funeral, you may want to speak to your funeral director about leaving it with your loved one. They’ll be more than happy to accommodate your wishes as best they can.

Whatever you decide, make sure you do what feels right. Your instincts will guide you if you don’t have the answer straight away.   

Join us

In honour of your father or father figure’s enduring presence in our lives, we welcome you to join us for our special Father’s Day event, where you will have the opportunity to remember and reflect, light a candle and tie a memorial heart on our remembrance tree. 

Everyone is welcome! Find your nearest Father’s Day Remembrance event here.  

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When a father experiences the unimaginable loss of a child, most of the focus turns to the mother’s grief. While this support is vital, a father’s pain is often unintentionally overlooked or misunderstood. As a result, many men struggle with their grief in silence and are forced to cope with feelings of isolation and loss without the same level of attention or support. 

This is why spaces like Men’s Sheds are so important. They provide a safe and supportive environment where men can connect with like-minded people, share their worries and find understanding from those going through the same thing. They also give them room to build relationships, rediscover purpose and navigate life’s challenges after loss.  

We understand how painful grief can be. This blog will help guide you through these emotions as well as providing places you can go to seek support.   

The challenges facing grieving fathers

When a father loses a child, men are often expected to remain strong and stoic, so they focus on supporting their families rather than addressing their own emotions. This can leave many fathers feeling isolated and unable to express their grief, heightening their pain and leaving them with no room to heal.  

Acknowledge your grief

If you’ve suffered the loss of a child, it’s important you allow yourself to wholly feel your emotions – good and bad. Give yourself permission to mourn in your own way, whether that’s through quiet reflection, talking to someone or engaging in activities that help you process your feelings. 

Open up to people you trust

It can be tempting or even instinctual to keep your emotions bottled up, but grief isn’t something you can put in a box. Instead, sharing your feelings with someone you trust can help you start to come to terms with your loss. Whether it’s a friend, partner or a support group, talking can help take some of the weight off your shoulders. It can also keep the memory of your loved one alive. You don’t have to speak if you’re not ready; writing a letter or even spending time with your friends and family in silence can bring a sense of comfort. 

Find purpose in activities you enjoy doing

Doing activities, you enjoy can help you find a sense of purpose and normalcy in your grief. Examples could include practical tasks like DIY, hobbies or even volunteering within your local community. Everyday activities provide structure and allow you to channel your energy into something other than your grief – even if it’s only for a few short hours when you feel up to it. 

Consider getting professional help

Sometimes, the weight of grief can feel too heavy to carry alone. Seeking support from a specialist bereavement therapist or counsellor can provide you with the tools you need to navigate your emotions and find a healthy way through your journey with grief.  

Seek support from Men’s Sheds

Building social connections often proves more challenging for men than it does for women. Unlike women, many older men have fewer close friendships and are less likely to open up about personal worries or health concerns. While this isn’t true for everyone, retirement can leave some men feeling adrift, as if they’ve lost their sense of purpose or identity. That’s where Men’s Sheds step in. They offer a way to rediscover connection, community and a renewed sense of belonging. 

Men’s Sheds encourage people to come together to make, repair and repurpose, supporting projects in their local communities. Men’s Sheds are similar to garden sheds, but instead of being solitary, they’re a place where men can build social connections and friendships while sharing skills, knowledge and plenty of laughter.  

While these spaces are known as Sheds, they can be whatever the members (or Shedders as they’re called) want them to be. This can include empty offices, portable cabins, warehouses and garages. The most important thing is that the Sheds offer men the chance to meet like-minded people, share their worries and gain a renewed sense of purpose. That’s why Men’s Sheds are vital. 

There are 900+ Open Sheds across the UK right now. Head over to the website to find a Men’s Shed in your area. You can also learn more about starting your own.

Other supportive bereavement groups

Men’s Sheds aren’t the only support group you can turn to if you need guidance. There are several other resources, charities and networks that offer help and advice, including:  

• Dad Still Standing: Award winning podcast and bereavement support for dads following the loss of a child 

• Daddy’s with Angels (DWA): A registered charity that provides easy access to resources, guidance and specialist support for dads who feel they have no one else to turn to. 

• StrongMen: They aim to support men who are often overlooked and isolated in their grief following bereavement through Man2Man peer groups, Weekenders and Talks. 

• Sands United FC: Sands United is a unique way for men impacted by baby loss to come together through a shared love of sport. They can find a support network and feel at ease talking about their grief when they’re ready.   

Find the support you need in a GreenAcres Living Memorial Park

If you’re struggling to come to terms with grief or need someone to talk to, we hold events, remembrance services and bereavement cafés at our Parks throughout the year.  

You may find particular comfort from our bereavement cafés, which are held within the beautiful landscapes of our Parks and provide a kind, supportive space with understanding from others who are also living with life after loss. We also provide grief books, signposting information to other bereavement organisations and other resources to help with your grief journey.  

Head over to our website to find a GreenAcres Bereavement Cafés. 

As our world becomes increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of our choices, funerals are no exception. Traditional burial practices often rely on materials and processes that can leave a heavy environmental footprint. However, eco-friendly alternatives for burials, such as those offered at GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks, are transforming how we honour our loved ones while protecting the planet for future generations. At the forefront of this movement is the innovative Loop Living Cocoon™, a groundbreaking eco-coffin that exemplifies the future of sustainable burials.

The Growing Importance of Green Burials

Eco-friendly burials are designed to minimise the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices. By prioritising biodegradable materials, reducing emissions, and avoiding harmful chemicals, green burials offer a more harmonious way of returning to the earth. GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks have embraced this philosophy by providing tranquil woodland and parkland where families can say goodbye in a way that honours both their loved ones and the natural world.

Key elements of eco-friendly burials include:

• Biodegradable Coffins and Shrouds: Options like Loop Living Cocoon™, cardboard and willow are better for the environment
• Eco Grave Markers: Choosing a Living Memorial Tree or a wooden plaque instead of a headstone
• Avoiding Embalming: Skipping the use of formaldehyde and other chemicals protects surrounding soil and water

GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks are uniquely designed to support these principles, offering not only a serene resting place but also a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Introducing the Loop Living Cocoon™

The Loop Living Cocoon™ represents a revolutionary step in green funerals. Made from mycelium – the underground root network of mushrooms – and upcycled hemp fibres, this eco-coffin is 100% natural and fully biodegradable. Remarkably, it biodegrades within just 45 days, enriching the soil and increasing biodiversity. And a tree was not cut down to create this type of coffin.

Why Mycelium? Mycelium is nature’s ultimate recycler. It transforms organic matter into nutrients, shares resources with the forest floor, and enhances soil quality. By utilising mycelium, the Loop Living Cocoon™ not only minimises environmental harm but actively contributes to a healthier planet.

Features of the Loop Living Cocoon™

• Quick Growth: Developed in just seven days
• Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally, leaving no trace and enriching the soil
• Sustainable Materials: Free from paint, glue, varnish, or screws
• Customisable Interiors: Choose from natural linings like moss, hemp, wool, or bio-cotton
• Versatility: Suitable for traditional burials, natural burials, and cremations

Its hydrophobic properties make it suitable for all weather conditions, and it can be stored indefinitely when kept in a dry, ventilated space.

Redefining Legacies

Choosing the Loop Living Cocoon™ is more than an eco-friendly decision; it’s a statement about the legacy you wish to leave. By choosing a coffin that enriches the soil and promotes biodiversity, you create a living memorial that continues to give back to the earth. This aligns perfectly with GreenAcres’ mission to sustain and enhance our natural landscapes for generations to come.

Loop will have a distribution centre in the UK, meaning UK Funeral Directors will be able to purchase the Loop Living Cocoon™ on request.

A greener future

At GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks, we believe that everyone should have the information and options to make meaningful and environmentally conscious funeral choices. As we move toward achieving net-zero emissions across our business, innovations like the Loop Living Cocoon™ play a vital role in shaping the future of funerals.

Loop Biotech have also created an urn called Loop EarthRise™, just like the coffin – this feeds the earth and improves biodiversity, meaning that your loved one’s ashes can be a source for nature to flourish within the woodland, meadow, orchard, garden or lawn area of any GreenAcres Living Memorial Park. The Loop EarthRise™ urns are available to purchase directly from GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks.

If you’re planning for yourself or a loved one, consider the environmental impact of each decision. From biodegradable coffins to woodland and wildflower meadow burials, every choice can make a difference. Together, we can honour our loved ones while preserving the beauty of our planet.

To learn more about our eco-friendly burial options visit GreenAcres Living Memorial Parks. To find out more on Loop Biotech and the Loop Living Cocoon™ and Loop EarthRise™, visit Loop Living Cocoon™ – World’s first living coffin. Let’s create a legacy that honours life and nurtures the earth.

Event Overview

Cafés are held within the beautiful landscapes of our Parks where you can feel the uplifting and healing power of nature around you.

Our Bereavement Cafés are welcoming spaces where the topic of death is not a taboo, but an open and honest conversation. Here, you can say your loved one’s name, share your memories, and talk about your grief with others who truly understand.

For those not ready to share, Bereavement Cafés offer the opportunity to simply listen, to be in the presence of others navigating loss, and to find comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

These gatherings are not about fixing grief or rushing healing – they’re about creating a safe, compassionate community where every experience of loss is respected, and every story matters. Whether you come to talk, listen, or just be, you are warmly welcomed.

All are welcome. Free coffee and cake!