Grief is a difficult emotion that everyone experiences at some point in life. For kids, understanding grief and how to cope with loss can be challenging. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, a family member, or a friend, grief can feel overwhelming. However, with the right support, kids can learn to navigate through their emotions and heal in healthy ways.
In this blog, we share a collection of grief quotes for kids to help them understand that grief is a natural part of life and that healing comes with time. These quotes encourage children to express their feelings, seek support, and find hope as they move through the grieving process.
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Table of Contents
Why Teach Kids About Grief
Teaching kids about grief helps them understand that loss is a part of life, and that it’s okay to feel a wide range of emotions when someone or something they love is no longer with them. By providing tools for healthy grieving, such as reflection, creative expression, and open communication, we can help children navigate their emotions and begin to heal. Understanding grief also teaches children empathy, as they learn to support others going through loss. Ultimately, teaching kids about grief helps them develop emotional resilience, allowing them to cope with difficult experiences in healthy ways and find peace after loss.
11 Grief Quotes for Kids
#1 “Grief is the price we pay for love.” – Queen Elizabeth II
Love and loss are forever connected.
When we lose someone we love, the pain reflects how deeply we cared. Grief is not a weakness—it’s the cost of having loved so much.
Journal Prompt:
What does this quote teach you about the connection between love and grief?
#2 “The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss… you will learn to live with it.” – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Grief doesn’t end—it changes form.
Rather than disappearing, grief evolves. We don’t forget those we lost—we carry them with us and grow around the sorrow.
Journal Prompt:
How has grief changed for you over time?
#3 “Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.” – José N. Harris
Grief shows love and compassion.
Crying is not something to be ashamed of—it’s an honest and heartfelt way to express care, connection, and loss.
Journal Prompt:
When have your tears helped you feel closer to someone you lost?
#4 “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
Love leaves a lasting imprint.
Even when someone is gone, the love remains. Their memory, kindness, and presence stay with us in our hearts and choices.
Journal Prompt:
What part of someone you’ve lost still lives in you?
#5 “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis
Grief brings unfamiliar emotions.
Grief can feel like fear, confusion, or emptiness. It reminds us how deeply tied we are to others—and how scary it can be to face life without them.
Journal Prompt:
How would you describe grief in your own words?
#6 “Grieving is a journey that teaches us how to love in a new way.” – Tom Attig
Love doesn’t end—it transforms.
Grief often invites us to express love differently—through memories, acts of kindness, or continuing someone’s legacy.
Journal Prompt:
How have you learned to love someone after they’ve passed?
#7 “To weep is to make less the depth of grief.” – William Shakespeare
Crying is part of healing.
Tears help release some of the weight of grief. They don’t erase the pain, but they help us move through it.
Journal Prompt:
What do you feel when you allow yourself to cry?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#8 “You don’t get over it, you just get through it.”
Grief is not a problem to solve.
Rather than ending, grief becomes a companion. Over time, we learn how to carry it and still find joy again.
Journal Prompt:
What helps you get through hard days of grief?
#9 “Grief does not change you… it reveals you.” – John Green
Loss uncovers our deepest truths.
In grief, we see who we are—our strength, our values, and what truly matters. It’s a window into our soul’s depth.
Journal Prompt:
What has grief revealed about who you are?
#10 “The darker the night, the brighter the stars, The deeper the grief, the closer is God!” – Fyodor Dostoevsky
Grief can bring moments of light.
Even in our darkest times, there can be comfort, closeness, and clarity. Often, grief helps us find deeper meaning or connection.
Journal Prompt:
What moments of comfort have come to you in sadness?
#11 “Healing from grief takes time, and that’s okay.”
Grief has no deadline.
There’s no “right” way or timeline for healing. Every person and loss is different, and patience is part of the process.
Journal Prompt:
What small step have you taken toward healing lately?
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Ways to Use These Quotes
- Create a “Grief Tree”: After reading an grief quote for kids, encourage children to create a “grief tree,” where each leaf represents a different emotion or memory they associate with the person or pet they lost. This helps kids visually process their feelings and provides a creative outlet for their grief.
- Art Therapy: Share an grief quote for kids and have children express their feelings through art, such as painting or drawing. This helps them work through emotions that might be difficult to put into words and gives them a sense of control and comfort during a tough time.
- Create a Grief Playlist: Use an grief quote for kids to help your child create a playlist of comforting songs that they can listen to when they need to feel better. Music can be a powerful way to soothe emotions and provide comfort during moments of sadness.
- Grief Journals: After reading an grief quote for kids, encourage children to keep a journal where they can express their feelings about the loss they’ve experienced. Writing or drawing about their emotions can help them process their grief and begin the healing process.
- Comforting Conversations: Share an grief quote for kids and have a calm, open conversation with your child about what they are feeling. Let them know that it’s okay to grieve and that everyone experiences loss differently. This allows them to feel heard and supported during a difficult time.
- Memory Box: Use an grief quote for kids to encourage your child to create a memory box. They can fill the box with pictures, mementos, or special items that remind them of the person or pet they’ve lost. This activity can provide a tangible way for kids to honor their memories and hold onto the love they shared.
Additional Resources
Grief Books For Kids
- Early Elementary Children (Ages 3-6)
- Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
- Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
Grief Activities For Kids
- Create a Memory Collage: After reading an grief quote for kids, encourage children to create a collage using photos, drawings, or magazine clippings that remind them of their loved one. This activity can help them celebrate the life and memories of the person or pet they lost.
- Write Letters to Loved Ones: Share an grief quote for kids and help children write a letter to the person or pet they have lost. This can be a therapeutic way for children to express their feelings and say things they may not have had the chance to say.
- Plant a Tree or Flower: After reading an grief quote for kids, help children plant a tree or flower in memory of the person or pet they’ve lost. Watching the plant grow over time can symbolize the continuation of love and the beauty of life despite loss.
- Grief Storytelling: Share an grief quote for kids and encourage children to tell or write a story about their loved one, focusing on the happy memories they have. This can help kids reflect on the good times and find peace in remembering the love they shared.
More Ideas For Parents & Caregivers
- Maintain Routines: Use an grief quote for kids to remind kids that while life may feel different after a loss, maintaining familiar routines can bring a sense of stability. Keeping regular schedules for meals, bedtimes, and activities helps children feel secure and provides a sense of normalcy during a difficult time.
- Encourage Positive Memories: Share an grief quote for kids and encourage children to remember the good times and happy moments they shared with the person or pet they’ve lost. Reflecting on those memories can help children celebrate life, rather than focusing solely on the loss.
- Model Healthy Grieving: Use an grief quote for kids to model healthy grieving behavior. Let your child see that it’s okay to cry, talk about the loss, and even laugh and find joy again. By demonstrating healthy ways to grieve, you show them that healing is possible.
What’s Your Favorite Grief Quote?
Grief is a challenging experience, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, understanding, and healing. The grief quotes for kids shared today remind us that it’s okay to feel sad, to take time to process our emotions, and to find comfort in our memories. Let’s continue to support kids through their grief, helping them understand that healing comes with time and that they can always carry the love of those they’ve lost in their hearts.
What is your favorite Grief Quote from the post, or do you have another? Share it by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches. I would love to see!
Bye for now,
Prima from LittleYellowStar
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