Professor of Education at St Mary’s University Anna Lise Gordon has brought together a unique group of experts from within and outside St Mary’s in the field of bereavement, primary education, literacy and Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) development for a research project entitled Love and Loss – Children using picture books to learn about bereavement.
The aim of the project was to explore how picture books can support children’s understanding of bereavement, grief, and loss. Research increasingly shows that schools can provide a safe and supportive environment for children to engage in conversations about sensitive topics, and the research team wanted a better understanding of how picture books might help children to learn about bereavement, grief and loss, and to offer tailored support in difficult times.
The project received funding from the Research England Policy Support Fund towards resources, data analysis and dissemination activity.
St Mary’s is known for its collaborative research, policy and practice work on bereavement across the education sector, with bereavement awareness training provided to all students on the University’s initial teacher education programmes.
In June 2024, Prof Anna Lise hosted a large and successful Bereavement in Education Summit, bringing together bereavement charities, funeral directors, counsellors and health experts, researchers, chaplains, teachers, support staff and school leaders. During this summit, attendees considered policy, curriculum and training for teachers as part of a determined effort to open and normalise conversations about death, grief and loss in educational settings.
Some key themes that emerged from participants at the Bereavement in Education Summit provided the springboard for the Love and Loss research project. These included:
- Opportunities to talk
- Power of stories
- Language matters
- Training for teachers.
After the event, Prof Anna Lise felt that the vital voices of children and young people were missing and became a priority for the Love and Loss research project in 2025.
Speaking on the Love and Loss project, Prof Anna Lise said, “A key element of the study has been to amplify the voices of children—to better understand their perspectives and emotional responses. The research team was deeply moved by the children’s eagerness to engage with the picture books and to express their thoughts and feelings.
“The loss of a loved one is a universal human experience, and discussions around bereavement must have an important place in education. As one year 5 pupil said: ‘Death is normal’. The Love and Loss research project underscores the vital voices of children in our ongoing endeavours to normalise conversations about death, grief and loss for the benefit of everyone.”
Read the full report of the project and its initial findings or download it below.
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