Ways to Participate in Children's Grief Awareness Day
See all the ways that you can take part in observing Children's Grief Awareness Day all year round!
The Children's Grief Awareness Day theme for 2025 is "Champions of Hope," highlighting ways in which we can all provide hope to those grieving the loss of someone special.
You don't need to be famous or have special skills to be a Champion of Hope. These are the everyday heroes who make a difference in the lives of grieving children.
A Champion of Hope can be a friend, teacher, neighbor, coach, family member, or anyone who provides comfort and encouragement. Champions offer a safe space and understanding during a difficult time, providing a listening ear, a supportive heart, and simply being present. Join us as we recognize these amazing individuals and organizations who bring hope and strength to grieving children.
Virtual Children's Grief Awareness Day

On Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, the Highmark Caring Place will host the Sixth Annual VIRTUAL Children's Grief Awareness Day. Tune into our YouTube channel to hear a wide variety of people sharing their stories of grief and hope.
The Highmark Caring Place has hosted the Annual VIRTUAL Children's Grief Awareness Day since it began in 2020, providing a wide variety of people sharing their stories of grief and hope. Past videos are available for viewing on our YouTube channel, or go to each year’s videos individually:
Illuminating HOPE
After a loved one dies, there is a sense in which life feels darker, as if some light and color are drained from the world.
The Highmark Caring Place invites you to help shine a light of hope in this darkness through our Virtual Illuminating HOPE campaign.
Illuminating HOPE is a one of a kind gathering of virtual butterflies, each one a message of love and honor and support. People from across the world create and contribute virtual butterflies:
- In MEMORY of loved ones who have died
- In HONOR of a child or adult who is grieving
- In SUPPORT of grieving children, adults, and families everywhere
The butterflies are added to a special Butterfly Garden on the Illuminating HOPE website. These messages of transformation and hope show children that they are not alone that they are cared about and supported in their grief.
Seen as a whole, this garden is beacon of hope to all who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Go to HOPE.HighmarkCaringPlace.com to participate in our virtual Illuminating HOPE.
Holding On To HOPE

When someone we love dies, it hurts, sometimes more than we ever thought it could hurt. Although it can seem as if the intense pain will never go away, it can ease over time. Grief lasts a lifetimewe will miss them foreverbut there is HOPE.
In those times that it hurts the most, we can hold on to the hope that "it won't always hurt so bad."
We invite you to join us in Holding On To HOPE.
Will you Hold On To HOPE?
Show grieving children "I care and I am here."
How to Participate
Create a Holding On To HOPE tribute placard to show your support:
- Download the "Holding On To HOPE" PDF image and print it out
- On the placard, let people know WHO or HOW:
- WHO you're Holding On To HOPE for
- Or HOW you're Holding On To HOPE
- Then share a photo on social media using #childgriefday
WHO you're Holding On To HOPE for:
- Is there a grieving child that you are keeping in mind? You might add their name or initials to your sign.
- Are you a grieving child (or adult) yourself? You could Hold On To HOPE in memory of someone you love. Who is that person, and what memories do you want to share about them?
- Do you know a group or an organization that works to support grieving children? You can Hold On To HOPE in support of this group. Who is the organization, and what do they do to make you proud of their work?
- Or you may simply want to Hold On To HOPE in support of all grieving children and send out HOPE from yourself, your family or your group.
HOW you're Holding On To HOPE:
In what way or ways will you help grieving children find hope? You can:

- Educate yourself about the needs of grieving children
- Volunteer your time with an organization that works to support grieving children
- Raise awareness of what these children experience, and of their need for support
Download the "Holding On To HOPE" PDF and print it for yourself.
HOPE the Butterfly was created to spread this message of hope to grieving children across the world. No one can just take away a child's grief. No one can bring back the person who has died. But we can show grieving children that they're not alone. We can show them we care. We can show them we're there for them.
Grieving children can hold on to our support, our care. Grieving children can hold on to hope.
Other Activities
Many other activities, large and small, can raise awareness of grieving children. Look through the activities described here, or come up with some of your own, and do what you can to spread the word to those around you of the impact of death on children and of the importance of support in helping them to find HOPE in the midst of their grief.
Important Considerations as You Become Involved in Children's Grief Awareness Day Activities
As an important person in the life of children, there are a few things that are important for you to be aware of as you become involved in Children's Grief Awareness Day:
- The purpose of Children's Grief Awareness Day is to call attention to the issue of children's grief, not to any particular child or children who have suffered a loss. Some children will want their grief recognized while others will prefer to keep it private. Always be certain to check with any child before calling attention to his or her circumstances.
- The activities of Children's Grief Awareness Day can cause a possible "trigger" reaction in those who have had someone close to them die, regardless of how much time has passed since the death. Be alert for signs of grief reactions and be prepared to provide support as needed.
- If you are in a school setting, all personnel should be aware of any Children's Grief Awareness Day activities whether or not they are directly involved. Parents and guardians should be made aware of any planned activities as well. All messages used in conjunction with any activity should be appropriate to the developmental age of the children involved.
The most basic way to participate in Children's Grief Awareness Day is to have as many people as possible children and adults wear blue. Publicity about the reason for wearing blue to show awareness of grieving children allows the entire community to know what Children's Grief Awareness Day is about.
Activities for families
The descriptions of the following activities are oriented mostly toward groups or organizations, but many of them can also be easily adapted for families or individuals. As you read through the list of options, see what would work best for you and your family!
Publicizing your activities
If you're planning an event for Children's Grief Awareness Day, let people in your area know what will be coming up by publishing announcements in media including bulletin boards and newsletters, Facebook pages and websites. Look here for ideas on how to word these announcements in the weeks and days leading up to your event.
Activities
Please take some time to look at the many activities that have been shared with us from partner organizations over the years. If you have additional ideas for activities, please share them with us. We will highlight as many as possible.
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Grief education |
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Holding On To HOPE Pledge |
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Local grief support programs |
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Social media |
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Facebook |
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Spread the Word |
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Blue |
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Profile picture |
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Information table and posters |
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Artistic displays |
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Local events |
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Blue out |
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Blue decorations |
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HOPE illumination |
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Aerial photograph |
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Butterfly formation |
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Memory wall |
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Butterfly release |
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Fundraisers |
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HOPE chains |
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Signed T-shirts |
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Art show |
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Videos |
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Public officials |
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Bake sale |
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Flash mob |
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Face painting |
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Thumbprint tree |
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Butterfly masks |
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Butterfly magnets |
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Banners |
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Memory ribbons |
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HOPE display |
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Butterfly paintings |
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Luminaries |
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Decorated T-shirts |
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Wall of hope |