Printable Guides for Difficult Moments
You don’t need to read everything - choose what feels most helpful right now
Printable Guides for Difficult Moments
These printable guides are designed to support people during some of life’s most overwhelming moments. You don’t need to read everything—just choose what feels most relevant right now.
Each guide can be downloaded and printed for personal use, shared with others, or used by professionals supporting individuals and communities after tragedy.
EMOTIONAL FIRST AID (EFA) - START HERE
Practical, compassionate guidance for what helps in the first hours after a traumatic event—what to say, what to do, and how to support someone without trying to “fix” the moment.
What Is Emotional First Aid (EFA) → Download PDF
Providing Emotional First Aid → Download PDF
The Finer Points of Emotional First Aid → Download PDF
Guiding Principles of Emotional First Aid → Download PDF
Review of Emotional First Aid → Download PDF
Emotional First Aid Is Powerful → Download PDF
Get Yourself Out of the Way → Download PDF
What to Say → Download PDF
WHEN SOMEONE HAS DIED
For moments when loss feels sudden, shocking, or impossible to process. Printable guides to help in the first hours and days after a death, including what to expect, what to say, and how to support yourself and others.
What to Say → Download PDF
The Horrible Hours → Download PDF
Common Reactions → Download PDF
Death Notifications → Download PDF
Emergency Systems → Download PDF
Role of the Medical Examiner / Coroner → Download PDF
Funerals → Download PDF
Follow Up → Download PDF
How to Cope
After the initial shock of a loss, grief and stress often continue in new and unexpected ways. These guides offer support for coping over time, including emotional responses, practical concerns, and finding steadiness as life continues.
Dealing with Loss → Download PDF
Common Reactions (longer-term version) → Download PDF
Effective Ways of Coping → Download PDF
Practical Next Steps → Download PDF
Handling Estates → Download PDF
Media → Download PDF
Losing a Pet → Download PDF
HELPING CHILDREN & TEENS
Printable guides to help adults support children and teens after a traumatic event. Topics include how children grieve at different ages, how to talk about death, what helps (and what doesn’t), and ways to support teens through complex emotions.
Helping Children and Teens Cope After Traumatic Events → Download PDF
Children Grieve by Age → Download PDF
Helping Children Grieve → Download PDF
Helping Teens Grieve → Download PDF
Tips for Teens → Download PDF
Rituals for Children → Download PDF
Clichés to Avoid → Download PDF
SUID/SIDS → Download PDF
Resources → Download PDF
UNDERSTANDING TRAUMATIC LOSS
For navigating grief over time. Guides focused on emotional, practical, and day-to-day coping, including funerals, rituals, media attention, estates, the loss of a pet, and next steps after tragedy.
Understanding Traumatic Loss – Coping With the Loss of a Loved One → Download PDF
Common Reactions to Traumatic Loss → Download PDF
Effective Ways of Coping → Download PDF
Is There Anything Else I Can Do? → Download PDF
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE LOSS
Specialized guides for individuals and families impacted by suicide. Addresses common reactions, stigma, complex emotions, and how to support children, teens, and families after a suicide loss
Understanding Suicide Loss → Download PDF
Suicide Dos and Don’ts → Download PDF
Helping Children Cope After Suicide Loss → Download PDF
Supporting Families After Suicide → Download PDF
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Educational resources for understanding domestic violence and how to get help. Includes safety-focused guidance for those experiencing violence and for those supporting someone at risk.
Understanding Domestic Violence → Download PDF
Domestic Violence – Finding Support and Help → Download PDF
FIRE LOSS
Guides for the first days after a fire—what helps, what to avoid, and practical next steps for families facing sudden displacement and loss.
Understanding Fire Loss: What to Know After a Fire → Download PDF
When a Pet Is Lost in a Fire → Download PDF
DEATH IN THE WORKPLACE
Guides to support employees and organizations after the death of a coworker or workplace-related loss, addressing common reactions, communication challenges, and compassionate ways to respond.
Supporting Employees and Organizations After a Workplace Death → Download PDF

