New CBEM data estimates 6.6 million children projected to face childhood grief in the U.S.
Understanding childhood grief and bereavement in the United States
2026 CBEM National and State Reports Now Available
In partnership with the New York Life Foundation, Judi’s House / JAG Institute is proud to release the 2026 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model® (CBEM) National and State Reports, the most recent estimates of childhood bereavement in the United States.
Updated annually using vital statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the CBEM provides a data driven picture of how many children and youth will experience the death of a parent or sibling, including breakdowns by relationship to the deceased and leading causes of death. The 2026 reports reflect 2020–2024 data, the five most recent years available, and underscore childhood bereavement as a growing national concern.
More than 6.6 million children, or 1 in 11, in the United States will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18
2026 CBEM State results vary greatly across the nation. New Mexico has the highest concentration of bereaved children with 14.7% projected to experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18. In comparison, Utah has the lowest concentration with 6.8%. National and state-level findings help advocates better understand and support the unique needs of childhood grief in their communities.
How many youth will face childhood grief in YOUR state? Hover over the map to view CBEM rankings and rates*.
*Bereavement due to parent or sibling death by age 18.
Why This Data Matters
Childhood grief is widespread but often overlooked. Without reliable data, communities and systems struggle to plan for and respond to the needs of grieving children and families.
The CBEM helps make childhood grief visible by providing clear, consistent estimates that can be used to:
- Inform community and systems planning
- Strengthen grant proposals and funding requests
- Support policy and advocacy efforts
- Guide grief‑informed programs in schools and communities
Accurate data helps communities respond with care and intention.
Addressing the Growing Issue of Childhood Grief
The 2026 CBEM results mark the ninth consecutive year of increasing childhood bereavement rates, underscoring an urgent need to address childhood grief at a systemic level. Judi’s House / JAG Institute supports the following recommendations:
- Awareness & Identification: Systematically monitor trends and universally identify bereaved children through coordinated efforts in schools, healthcare, and other service settings.
- Training & Education: Expand grief and trauma training for faith leaders, mentors, school staff, employers, and other community figures.
- Policy: Advance policies and funding that strengthen programs and services for bereaved children and families.
- Programming: Develop and evaluate effective programming that meets the needs of diverse populations.
Together, these actions can help ensure that every child and family receive the support they deserve during one of life’s most difficult times.
Explore Data in the CBEM Dashboard
The CBEM Dashboard allows users to interact with national and state‑level data in one, easy-to-use tool.
Using the dashboard, you can:
- View childhood bereavement estimates by state
- Download national and state reports
- Compare data and trends across states
- Access supporting resources and documentation
How Organizations Use CBEM Data
Organizations across the country use CBEM data to support their work with grieving children and families, including:
- Community needs assessments
- School and district planning
- Grant applications and reporting
- Policy development and advocacy
- Program design for grief‑informed care
The CBEM is designed to be used by educators, healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and community planners.
Read how other organizations have utilized CBEM data in their work:
Additional CBEM Resources
To support learning and application, the following resources are available alongside the reports:
- CBEM Tool Kit, with suggested messaging and premade social media graphics
- CBEM Technical Appendix, detailing data sources and modeling approach
How to Cite the CBEM
We encourage organizations to cite and link directly to the CBEM when using this data.
- Suggested citation:
Judi’s House (2026). CBEM Results derived from CDC Data, 2020-2024. cbem.judishouse.org.
About Judi’s House / JAG Institute
Judi’s House/JAG Institute is a national leader in childhood grief care, training, and research. Through direct services, education, and data‑driven insights like the CBEM, we work toward a future where no child grieves alone.