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Dr. Bob Macauley
What to Say to a Child About Illness, Grief, or Death
Grief, Child Illness, Child Health
A conversation with Dr. Bob Macauley on presence, truth, and the healing power of love.
When a child is seriously ill—or grieving the loss of someone they love—many adults feel stuck. What do you say? How honest should you be? Will the wrong words make it worse?
In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, pediatric palliative care physician and Episcopal priest Dr. Bob Macauley shares gentle, practical guidance for some of life’s hardest conversations.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver, this episode will help you speak with compassion, hold space for hard feelings, and show up with love—even when healing isn’t possible.
About Dr. Bob Macauley
Dr. Bob Macauley is one of the few pediatricians in the U.S. specializing in palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions. He holds the Cambia Health Foundation Endowed Chair at Oregon Health & Science University and is also an Episcopal priest. His memoir, Because I Knew You, shares the stories of remarkable children who taught him about love, loss, and what it means to truly live.
In this episode, we chat about:
- How to talk about death without euphemisms.
- Age-specific insights into how children understand loss.
- Real language you can use with children facing hard questions.
- Emotional and spiritual support for the entire family.
- Why “just showing up” is often the most powerful thing you can do.
Episode resources:
- Explore Dr. Robert Macauley’s website and learn more about his work.
- Order “Because I Knew You”, Dr. Macauley’s last book.
- Follow Dr. Bob on Instagram.
Take action
Whether you’re helping a child cope with illness or processing your own grief, you don’t have to do it alone. Get personalized support from compassionate professionals on Sofia Health.
- Work with Therapists to support your child and family through grief, trauma, and loss.
- Book Personal Coaching for parents and siblings to navigate difficult emotions together.
- Access Spiritual and Emotional Support from counselors who provide comfort and guidance.
- Explore Healing Guides and Wellness Tools to strengthen emotional resilience and overall well-being.
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