Child Bereavement

All programs are accepting registration. The Children’s Bereavement Art Group (CBAG) and Children’s Art Therapy Support (CATS) programs are meeting in-person at Sacramento and Roseville sites. Healing Images (HI) will meet online until further notice.

Call (916) 887-5275 to register or inquire about art therapy programs.

The loss of a child creates a heavy burden of grief for the family and friends. To help prepare for an expected loss or deal with the unexpected loss of a child, Sutter Care at Home Hospice and Sutter Children’s Center, Sacramento offers the resources of compassionate professionals who help each family member move through grieving in a personal way.

Grief specialists can include members of the pastoral team, social workers and Child Life Specialists. The specialists incorporate therapy that's appropriate for the age and relationship of each individual. Children often benefit from the play and art therapy, while older siblings and parents may need someone outside the family to talk with.

Sutter also offers Children's Bereavement Art Group. The program uses the creative arts as a second language to help children and their families express grief after a loved one has died.

About the Children's Bereavement Art Group

The death of a parent, sibling or significant person is a painful experience. The Children's Bereavement Art Group helps children learn to cope with and accept the death of a loved one by encouraging them to express their grief through creative outlets. The artwork children create through drawing or painting becomes something tangible into which the children can put their feelings.

Grieving children can also find support from their peers who have a loved one who has died. Children are placed in groups according to age and development. The groups meet every other week for four months. Each group is facilitated by an masters-level therapist with an extensive background in childhood grief. The therapist is assisted by trained volunteers.

The therapist maintains regular phone contact with parents and guardians to discuss the child's progress in the group. A family night is held at the end of the program. Children are encouraged to invite family and friends to share the experiences of the group.

The Children’s Bereavement Art Group is free to children in Sacramento and surrounding communities. Children must be between the ages of 4-17 and have experienced the death of a significant person within the last year.

How to Register

For more information or to register a child, contact:

Sarah Hickman, ATR, LMFT
Program Coordinator
Sutter Cancer Center
2800 L Street, Suite 410
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 887-5275

Nancy Carlson, MSW,
Roseville Intake Coordinator
Sutter Care at Home Roseville Hospice
3001 Lava Ridge Court, Suite 320
Roseville, CA 96661
(916) 787-7174

The History of the Program

• The first Children’s Bereavement Art Group was held on April 4, 1985 at Sutter Memorial Hospital. Sutter Hospitals Foundation, now called Sutter Medical Center Sacramento Foundation, provided the seed money of $1,000 to start this program.
• The George Bush Administration awarded the Children’s Bereavement Art Group the 573rd Point of Light Award on September 27, 1991.
• The Sierra Health Foundation provided a $100,000 grant to the Children’s Bereavement Art Group to expand the program. In 1993, Mercy Hospice and Roseville Community Hospital Hospice, now called Sutter VNA and Hospice Roseville, joined Sutter Hospice to provide bereavement services.
• In March, 2001, the Sacramento Community Services Planning Council awarded the Children’s Bereavement Art Group collaborative—Mercy Healthcare and Sutter Health— recognition for the “People Helping People” Business Award.
• Children's Bereavement Art Group celebrated its 30th Anniversary in April 2015. To date, the program has served over 12,000 children and their families over 33 years.
• Five therapists and over 25 volunteers currently staff the Children’s Bereavement Art Group. Groups are available in midtown Sacramento and Roseville.

Artwork

View artwork from the Children's Bereavement Art Group.

Grief-Related Articles

• Supporting Children and Teens During COVID-19 (PDF)
• Art Ideas For Difficult Times (PDF)
• Nurturing Memories/Healing Grief
• Helping Children Cope with Suicide Loss
• Coping and Managing Grief During the Holidays
• CBAG Bibliography — Books about Death & Grief: Written for Children

Resources

• The Dougy Center
  A resource site for grieving children and families.
• Camp Kesem
  Information on summer camp programs for children who have or had a parent with cancer, including Camp Watanda, located in Nevada City and run by UC Davis students.

In the Media

• Children’s bereavement art group celebrates 30 years of service
• Helping Kids Grieve: Art therapy group has been aiding kids for 30 years
• Holiday blues: If you’re feeling stressed, here’s how to cope

Support Groups

Bereavement Support Groups

• Adult Grief Support Groups (Sacramento)
• Adult Bereavement Group (Roseville)

Art Therapy Support Groups

• Children's Bereavement Art Group (Sacramento and Roseville)

Donate to CBAG