Collective grief
What is collective grief?
Sometimes, when we hear about the death of a well-known person, or a tragic event where many people have died, we may feel a sense of sadness or loss—even if we did not know those involved.
This is often called collective grief. It is a shared emotional response felt by a community, a country, or even across the world.
It can bring people together in remembering, reflecting, and mourning. It can also feel confusing to experience grief for people we have never met—but this is a natural human response to loss and tragedy.
How we experience collective grief
Many of us are used to hearing difficult news in our daily lives—through television, radio, or online. Over time, we often develop ways of managing how this affects us.
However, some events can feel especially shocking or upsetting. When this happens, our usual ways of coping may not feel enough. We may notice stronger emotions, or feel more affected than we expect.
Collective grief can also connect with our own personal experiences of loss, bringing memories or feelings back to the surface.
Supporting children and young people
News of public tragedies or the death of a well-known person may raise questions for children. It can also remind them of losses they have experienced themselves.
Children may:
- Ask questions about what has happened
- Try to make sense of why something so sad could occur
- Show worry, sadness, or confusion
You can support them by:
- Answering their questions as honestly as you can
- Letting them know it’s okay not to have all the answers
- Keeping explanations simple and appropriate to their age
- Listening and giving them space to share how they feel
It can help to follow your child’s lead—offering enough information to respond to their questions, without overwhelming them.
Further support and resources
You may find the following resources helpful when talking with children about death:
- Talking with children when someone has died (film)
- I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas
- Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
- What Does Dead Mean? by Caroline Jay and Jenni Thomas
