Support & guidance Guidance for adults Supporting a bereaved child Beaded bracelet You can make a beaded bracelet as a way to remember someone special who has died or is very unwell. You can also make a bracelet to remind you of the people who are around you now and who help you to cope, or to remind you of the happy memories that help you when you feel sad. Wear the bracelet on days that are difficult to remind you of the bond you still have with the person who is ill or who has died, or to remind you of the people you have around you now. You will need: A selection of different beads. Pony beads are great, they come in different colours and shapes. You can also get beads with letters on Suitable cord or beading elastic Scissors A piece of plain paper A pencil Instructions: Think about the most important times you spent with the person who is unwell or who has died. Choose a bead that reminds you of that time. Choose beads for each person you want to have on your bracelet. If your bracelet is for just one special person then you might like to spell out their name with letter beads. If you want to have a few people with a bead each perhaps choose their initial. On your piece of paper write a bit about why you have chosen each bead and place the bead next to it. Take a picture of your beads and what you have written so you have something to help you remember what each bead is for. Take your cord and tie a random bead onto the end - this is just to stop your special beads slipping off as you thread them. Thread the beads onto the cord or elastic and then remove the random bead on the end. Ask an adult to tie it to your wrist. If you have made it with elastic the knot can be a normal double knot. If you’ve used cord you will need to ask the adult to do a sliding knot so you can take the bracelet on or off. This activity is not suitable for very young children. If you have younger children around make sure an adult is keeping a close eye on them so they don’t pick up and swallow the beads. Watch our short animated film which suggests ways children and young people can remember someone important to them who has died. Manage Cookie Preferences