Navigating Life After Loss | Grief Triggers
- Khenyia Williams
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Grief triggers can range from holidays and birthdays to smells, songs, movies, and even colors. Grief triggers are anything that sparks memories related to the loss. Triggers could result in outbursts, inability to concentrate, irritability, or even a stress response of “fight” or “flight.”
When a trigger occurs, take your time and allow yourself the space to process your feelings. Even though grief triggers often happen at inopportune times, suppressing or ignoring your emotions hurts the grieving process. Allow yourself to feel your emotions even if they’re uncomfortable.
Children & Grief Triggers
Since children are still in their developmental stages, their grief looks different from an adult’s. Children usually have a lot of unanswered questions in their minds because they do not have the language to express themselves. If you are supporting a child who is grieving, know that grief triggers are difficult experiences for them. When experiencing grief triggers, children experience strong emotional responses that seem to “come out of nowhere.” Angry outbursts, uncontrollable crying, whining/ tantrums from frustration, and the inability to concentrate are some responses children may have to grief triggers.
Since grief triggers cannot be stopped or avoided, as a caregiver, it is necessary to create a safe space for your children to express their grief.
Things to help your child understand when grief triggers occur
Grief triggers are a normal part of grief; their feelings are valid.
Suppressing emotions is not a solution.
Even though the emotions may be uncomfortable, it’s okay to cry and/ or be angry.
References
Coalition to Support Grieving Students. Grief Triggers.
Funeral Basics. “Coping with Grief: What Are Grief Triggers?” Funeral Basics, 1 Nov. 2023,
Healthy Minds. “Children and Young People’s Experience of Bereavement and Loss.” Sheffield
Children’s NHS.
Thompson, Erin. “Triggers in Grief.” The Loss Foundation, 25 Feb. 2017,