Ask Sam letter

Hi there

When a loved one moves house, it can be difficult to get used to the change and especially if you have experienced the death of someone who used to live there. It’s important to remember that there is always support available to help you through these difficult times and feelings.

For many people, someone’s address, is not just the place a loved one lives, but also a place which can hold lots of memories and feelings. When a loved one dies, some people feel it helps to stay close to the things we associate with the loved one, but for others, it can be too painful, and they may not want the regular reminder.

Whilst people can move house for lots of different reasons, when someone moves to a new home for the first time following the death of someone, it can create lots of different emotions for everyone who knew the loved one.

From time to time, people will make choices, which you may not agree with but have no control over such as your Grandad moving home. When someone moves home after the death of a loved one, for some it can make them feel they are grieving all over again, where they may feel angry, sadness, or confusion. It might be helpful to talk to a loved one about how you are feeling so that they can support you. Sometimes it might be possible to get an item of the loved one or of the house, such as a photo frame that you can keep and perhaps this is something you could discuss with a safe adult you trust.

As well as speaking to a safe adult you trust about this, you might find it helpful to speak to other young people about what you’re going through. The Childline message boards is a place where you can speak to other young people who have also gone through similar issues, you can find out how they have coped and what has helped them to feel better. Remember you can always speak to a Childline counsellor online or on the phone about this too.

Take care

Sam