How young people cope with Father’s Day after their dad has died
Our Youth Team share what they do on Father's Day and their advice to others.
If your dad has died, Father's Day can be a difficult day. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first Father’s Day after dad died or it has been many years. As with other special days, it can be a time when your grief is brought to the surface, your emotions are heightened and you are constantly reminded that your dad is no longer here.
Several members of our Youth Team have shared what they do on Father's Day and their advice to you.
If you feel able, you could take some time on Father’s Day to remember your dad. Maybe you could eat their favourite dinner, listen to their favourite music or do an activity that they enjoyed or you used to do together.
Father’s Day can be a good opportunity to talk about your dad. You could talk to your family, your friends or people who knew your dad. Maybe you could talk about your memories or ask people about their memories of your dad. You might learn things you didn’t know before such as what he was like at school or the worst birthday present he ever bought. We have some ideas for activities you could do to help you talk about your dad.
It can feel like you are being bombarded with social media posts of your friends and their dads or from companies selling Father’s Day gifts. So some young people find it helpful to avoid social media on Father’s Day. Or maybe you could post a photo or memory of your dad on your social media.
It can be painful for bereaved young people when they are asked to make a Father’s Day card at school, nursery or group. However, some young people like to make a card or buy a gift for their dad. You could take it to his grave or favourite place or keep it in a memory box. Other young people prefer to make a card for another important man in their life – perhaps your granddad or stepdad – or for their remaining parent.
Significant days like Father’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries can heighten your emotions. Don’t bottle your feelings up. If you want to cry then have a good cry – you’ll probably feel better afterwards! You could talk to a family member or friend, or someone you don’t know. You can talk to our bereavement specialists by phone on 0800 02 888 40, email ask@childbereavementuk.org or online chat, or text or WhatsApp us on 07418 341 800 (open 8am-8pm, weekdays). You must be 13 or older to receive support via WhatsApp. For urgent support in a crisis, please call 999.
Visiting a special place can be a good way to remember your dad on Father’s Day. It could be his grave or where his ashes are scattered. Or it could be somewhere you used to go together or his favourite place.
If you need to talk, we’re here to listen. Our bereavement specialists are available to speak with right away. No appointments or long waiting lists, just real-life support. You can chat with us anonymously if you wish and share whatever you are feeling. Nothing about your grief is off limits. We promise to listen, not judge and can offer advice and guidance if needed. You can speak to us as little or as often as you want. Start a conversation now. You can speak with us between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). You must be 13 or older to receive support via WhatsApp.
Click the 'chat with us' button at the bottom right of your screen between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.
Call us for free on 0800 02 888 40 between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.
Text or WhatsApp (13+) us on 07418 341 800 between 8am-8pm, Monday to Friday.
For urgent support, please call 999.
If you need to speak to us in a language other than English, we can use interpreters over the phone, and we can use the Relay UK app if you have hearing or speech difficulties.
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