Grief Art Lesson KS2 | Printable Bereavement Support

A gentle, thoughtfully written art lesson to help children explore grief, memory and comfort.

This resource was created for the moments teachers, SENCos and school counsellors sometimes need to navigate carefully: supporting a class through loss, whether that’s the death of a class pet, a pupil’s bereavement, or simply opening up healthy conversations about grief as part of a PSHE or emotional wellbeing unit.

Children create a personal “memory jar” — a piece of art that holds happy memories, favourite things, and comforting symbols connected to someone or something special to them. The lesson is deliberately open-ended (a person, a pet, a home they’ve moved from) so every child can choose what feels right, and sharing is always optional.

What’s included:
A teacher guidance note to read before delivering the lesson — covering safeguarding checks, informing parents/carers, and creating a safe space
A child-friendly information sheet explaining grief in warm, reassuring, age-appropriate language
Full step-by-step instructions for two gentle 45–60 minute sessions, with flexible pacing
Clear explanations of the art techniques used (colour and feeling, symbolic drawing, gentle collage, soft texture)
SEN differentiation covering fine motor, cognitive load, sensory/emotional regulation and EAL needs
A curated list of trusted bereavement charities and children’s books about loss

Why educators reach for this pack:

Written with real sensitivity, not a generic “fun craft” tone
Gives structure and confidence for a topic that can feel daunting to teach
Frames loss inclusively, so no child feels singled out or excluded
Built-in safeguarding guidance for staff, not just an activity sheet
Suitable for whole-class PSHE, small pastoral groups, or 1:1 support work

Perfect for: KS2 teachers, SENCos, school counsellors, pastoral leads, and homeschool parents looking for a considered, ready-to-use way to open up conversations about grief through art.

This resource supports classroom conversations about grief but is not a substitute for professional bereavement counselling.