How to help grieving parents amid the Humboldt Broncos tragedy

In the wake of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, many are asking themselves: what can I do to help?

Assiniboia’s Melanie Delorme lost her eight-year-old son, Garrett, in a hunting accident a decade ago. Since then, she’s written a book called “After the Flowers Die: A Handbook of Heartache, Hope and Healing After Losing a Child.”

On Sunday, Delorme posted a list of how best to support a grieving parent.

Some things on the list include the typical things – like going for visits, bringing food and running errands – but Delorme said finding and sending old photos of their child means a lot.

Garrett Delorme, 8, passed away in a hunting accident 10 years ago. (Melanie Delorme/Website)

“Parents are not going to forget that their child died. Sending them a new picture of their child is going to make them smile – it’s not going to cause them anymore hurt than they’re already feeling,” she explained. “Garrett died 10 years ago, and when I can find a new picture that I haven’t seen before of him, it’s a precious gift.”

However, overall, Delorme said the biggest thing is still being there after everybody else leaves.

“Parents go home and are forced to set that table with one less plate,” she said. “They need people in their lives who will help them, who are willing to come over and visit, phone them and be there.”

As for grieving parents themselves, Delorme said being creative helped her cope with the loss of Garrett. The mother added she channeled that creativity by making a quilt made out of her son’s clothing.

— With files from the CJME Morning Show