Grief is something that every person experiences differently, and for children, this experience is often even more complex. When a close loved one passes away, children face questions that many adults struggle to answer. This is the mission of the Trauerwee organization, founded in 2014 by Simone Thill. Her work is deeply rooted in a personal journey through grief and a desire to create something she herself missed during her time of loss.
How It All Began
Simone Thill was a young mother when her husband passed away from cancer. At the time, her two children were very young: her son was three years old, and her daughter just six months. In the midst of navigating the chaos of her own grief, she realized how little specific support existed for children and families in Luxembourg. “We were a young family, and people didn’t know how to interact with us,” she explains. Instead of a safe space, she was referred to a psychologist—something that didn’t feel right for her young children.
This experience inspired her to create something herself. After processing her own grief, she partnered with a friend who had also experienced a significant loss, and together they developed the idea for Trauerwee. Following training sessions in Germany, the foundation for the organization was laid in 2014.
A Place for Grief – and Hope
Trauerwee offers children and families a safe space where they can process their grief in their own way. Here, children are not only heard but also taught to understand and manage their emotions. The goal is to help them feel less alone and to realize: "My feelings are normal."
The work is based on individually tailored rituals and creative activities. For example, every child has a memory box where they can collect and keep items connected to the person they lost. Activities like crafting, drawing, and even music play a big role, as creative expression often helps children better process their emotions. “We teach children to create their own symbols and rituals to deal with their grief,” Simone explains.
Another crucial principle at Trauerwee is supporting parents. “Each member of a family grieves differently, and it’s important for parents to set an example by showing their own emotions honestly.” This approach helps children develop empathy and openness about their feelings.
Grief as a Societal Taboo
One of the topics Simone is particularly passionate about is the taboo surrounding grief in society. “Often, people say nothing out of fear of saying or doing the wrong thing,” she explains. This can leave grieving families feeling isolated. Children, who are highly sensitive to their surroundings, pick up on this quickly and may stop talking about the person they’ve lost.
To combat this problem, Trauerwee focuses on raising awareness. Through traveling exhibitions, training sessions, and podcasts, the organization brings the topic into public conversation. Simone emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive approach to grief not only within families but also in schools.
Honesty and Hope: What Children Really Need
A key mission of Trauerwee is to explain what has happened to children in a clear and honest way. Words like “dead” or “dying” should not be replaced with euphemisms like “asleep” or “sick,” as these can confuse and frighten children. Instead, children should be given the freedom to develop their own understanding of death. “When a child asks questions, it’s okay to say: I don’t know,” Simone says. “Children often come up with their own creative answers that bring them comfort.”
Despite the pain of grief, Trauerwee consistently reinforces the message: “It will never be the same, but it will be okay again.” This message of hope is something Simone shares with every family that seeks support.
A Space for Empathy and Compassion
The work of Simone Thill and Trauerwee demonstrates how vital it is to see, understand, and actively support children in their grief. She has created not only a safe place for mourning but also a space for hope, strength, and community.
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