Navigating Faith: Religion and Spirituality Among Finnish Parents After the Traumatic Loss of a Child

Abstract

The traumatic loss of a child profoundly impacts parents, often triggering significant transformations in their religious beliefs and spirituality. While the challenges of bereavement are well documented, there remains a gap in understanding the specific ways in which faith and spirituality evolve during the grieving process. This qualitative study examines the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of Finnish parents following the traumatic loss of their child. This study involved 117 parents (108 females, 5 males, and 4 who did not disclose their sex) and was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, participants responded to open-ended questions via the LimeSurvey platform, providing insights into their spiritual and religious changes. In the second phase, 17 parents engaged in in-depth phone interviews, allowing for a deeper exploration of their evolving beliefs and practices. Through thematic analysis, four key themes emerged: (1) renunciation of religious faith following loss, (2) emergence of new belief systems, (3) spiritual interactions within grief support networks, and (4) deepened self-reflection and inner connection. These findings offer critical insights into the dynamic interplay between grief, religion, and spirituality. They also provide valuable guidance for grief professionals in tailoring their support to bereaved parents navigating shifts in faith and meaning making after the loss of a child.