My Good Mourning Place Home Page - bereavement services for children and teens

Welcome!

My Good Mourning Place is a bereavement center especially designed to help children and teens cope with the death of a loved one. We are located on Milwaukee's south side and serve all of southeastern Wisconsin. In our safe, caring and home-like environment, the kids in our program are invited to share their thoughts and memories. Our trained facilitators lead groups in art projects, drama, music and play to help them communicate their feelings and integrate the loss into their lives.

In times of death, surviving children are often the "forgotten mourners". Since many children have

fewer memories and experiences than adults to bring them comfort, their grief is often unrecognized and ignored. This may have a profound effect on their lives and relationships, and as they grow up, it may create unforeseen problems. My Good Mourning Place is committed to assisting them at this critical stage in their development.

Our Mission

My Good Mourning Place is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting children and their families who have experienced grief due to the loss of a loved one. Families are offered support, understanding, empathy and education in a safe environment that is conducive to acceptance, respect, trust, and caring throughout the grief process.

Our Goals

Furnish a warm and nurturing environment where children and teens can safely express their feelings and share experiences with others
Assist Children and teens with similar experiences to support each other and lessen the feelings of sadness, loneliness and abandonment
Help children and teens increase their coping skills and strategies
Facilitate open communication among family members in order to promote support for each other
Instruct parents, teachers, caregivers and community agencies concerning children's needs when faced with death
Provide community resources for others who work with bereaved children, teens and families

Statistics

Studies in the United States show that one out of every 25 children experience the death of a parent by age 15. One out of every six children experience the death of an immediate family member by the age of 10. Each death affects at least two children and four adults within the immediate family.

Consider then, the effects of these deaths on children, parents, grandparents, teachers, classmates, church members, scout troops, sports teams and best friends.

The death of a parent, sibling or anyone else significant to the child or teen affects school performance, emotional stability, mental health, behavioral problems, and other relationships of the child.