Prereavement

What is Prereavement?

When facing the loss of a loved one, from the time you understand they are almost definitely going to pass, until their death, parents and caregivers are in prereavement.

Prereavement is three things…

What most people think about

This is when you are anticipating the death of and preparing for the almost inevitable loss of a loved one.  You are impacted by the finite future, that you will not have your child there and all the future things that you will never get to enjoy together.  

It’s more than just your future loss

When you are in prereavement, your world changes.  Who you are is different, how you think about and relate to family, friends and colleagues all changes.  How you think about your passions, work and the world is all challenged and many people frequently think differently about all of this.   

Maximizing each moment

When you are have been told there is nothing that can be done, the time you have left is all you have.  Each moment and memory matters more than every, because at some point you will not be able to create new ones.  You don’t need to give up hope, but are there ways to maximize every moment that a loved one and you have left together?  

Peer Support and Resources for Both Prereavement and Bereavement

If you are a parent facing prereavement or bereavement from childhood cancer, connecting with a Zach’s Bridge Peer Mentor can give you some connection and make all of this perhaps be just a bit easier.  And that support can cascade to your child and family.