Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM)
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Childhood Bereavement: A Critical Issue
An estimated 6.4 million children in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18.
Childhood grief has profound impacts on youth, families, and communities. In partnership with the New York Life Foundation, we developed the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) to understand the magnitude of the issue. The CBEM approximates rates of U.S. children and youth who will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the time they reach adulthood.
This information helps communities evaluate the impacts of unaddressed grief, campaign for grief resources, and ultimately, contribute to improved outcomes for grieving families everywhere.
Childhood Bereavement in the United States
2025 CBEM State results vary greatly across the nation. New Mexico has the highest concentration of bereaved children with 14.2% projected to experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18. In comparison, Utah has the lowest concentration with 6.8%. National, state, and county-level findings help advocates better understand and support the unique needs of bereaved children in their communities.
How many children and youth will be bereaved in YOUR state? Hover over the map to view CBEM rankings and rates.
Bereavement due to parent or sibling death by age 18.
Childhood Bereavement: The Cost of Inaction
Research shows that bereaved children are at an increased risk of disrupted development. Unaddressed childhood grief and trauma can lead to short- and long-term difficulties including decreased academic performance, mental health issues, and early mortality.
Timely support introduced at critical junctions aids in healthy development. Each day, bereaved youth turn to peers and adults for assistance in managing complex grief reactions. Data from the CBEM reinforces the need for access to grief-focused education and programming that helps communities respond compassionately and confidently.
CBEM Key Topics
Cause of Death
Released in 2022, the Leading Causes of Death Report focuses on the five leading causes of death for youth and adults, respectively, and provides the percentage and number of children bereaved by each cause. Examining childhood bereavement through this lens offers opportunities for collaboration and advocacy among groups focused on these causes. The information encourages discussion and considerations about how to tailor care to the unique needs of each child and family.
County-Level
2025 County-Level CBEM data will be released this fall.
The 2020 County-Level Key Topic Report represents an important advancement in our mission to understand and address childhood grief. This report estimates children bereaved due to parent death for each county in the U.S.
More discrete CBEM results empower childhood bereavement champions to advocate for tailored interventions and resources to build systems of care that are grounded in the realities of their specific populations.
Household Income
When it comes to childhood bereavement, income matters.
The 2024 Household Income Key Topic Report focuses on the intersection of childhood bereavement and household income. Providing state-by-state insight, these analyses reveal differences in bereavement rates based on county median incomes. In 44 out of 50 states, children living in the lowest income group counties are more likely to be bereaved than those living in the highest income group. In the six outlier states, low income is still associated with increased childhood bereavement.
Ready access to essential resources such as stable housing, safe communities, quality education, physical and mental healthcare, clean water, and healthy food play an important role in mitigating negative outcomes associated with childhood bereavement. Restricted income is associated with poor health outcomes and increased exposure to negative environmental conditions that reduce life expectancy.
Pandemic Impact
Released in 2022 and 2023, the National Pandemic Impact Report explores bereavement connected to parent’s death due to accidental drug overdose, COVID-19, suicide, and homicide by gunshot. The 2023 report includes additional point-in-time prevalence.
Children who have experienced a stigmatized death loss like those highlighted in these reports may experience feelings of isolation, guilt, and uncertainty. Findings in these reports reflect increases in childhood bereavement due to these stigmatized losses year over year.
Access theReports | Watch the Videos | Access the Toolkit | Action Plan
Race & Ethnicity
The 2021 Key Topic Report addresses race and ethnicity at the state and national levels. The reports reveal sharp differences in bereavement prevalence and underscore the need for critical and timely grief supports for children. Additionally, each report highlights the leading causes of death in each population. Taken together, these data points illuminate geographic discrepancies, creating opportunities for focused campaigns and efforts to narrow the gaps.
These results complement CBEM Standard reports. Using data from CDC WONDER, results are presented for each racial (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, White) and ethnic (Hispanic or Latino) category.
Additional Resources
Join us in elevating childhood bereavement to a critical public priority. You can keep kids on track to health and healing by utilizing our CBEM resources to educate your community and increase awareness.
Judi’s House/JAG Institute partnered with the New York Life Foundation to help support grieving children and families by creating the Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.
