In Manitowoc, a new initiative seeks to address the often-avoided topic of death and grief with children through specially designed comfort kits. These kits, made possible by a $2,000 grant from The Canary Fund, are now available at locations such as the Manitowoc Public Library and Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Created by Sharon Verbeten, who has experience in both the funeral industry and children's librarianship, these resources aim to facilitate open and age-appropriate discussions about loss.

Sharon Verbeten recognized a critical need for tools that assist young individuals in processing grief. Her vision materialized into comfort kits distributed across Brown and Manitowoc counties. The Manitowoc Public Library houses two distinct kits: one focused on general grief and another tailored to the loss of a pet. Each library kit contains a collection of eight to ten picture books crafted to help children understand the concept of losing a loved one, along with puppets designed to encourage emotional expression. Meanwhile, the funeral home kit not only includes reading materials but also provides consumable items that families can take home to continue their dialogue on death.

The intent behind these kits is multifaceted. They aim to create a more comfortable environment for discussing death and funerals while offering tangible support during the grieving process. Families are encouraged to utilize the small bags of comfort items provided within the kits, fostering meaningful experiences tied to their journey through loss. Through these efforts, Verbeten hopes to cultivate greater awareness and acceptance of death-related topics among younger audiences and their families.

Established in 2019, The Canary Fund honors James Rivett’s legacy by supporting innovators in northeastern Wisconsin with grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. This funding acts as seed money for impactful projects like Verbeten’s comfort kits. By promoting resources that ease difficult conversations, the initiative strives to make significant strides in how communities approach end-of-life issues.

Through thoughtful design and strategic placement, these comfort kits represent an innovative step toward equipping families with the tools necessary to navigate complex emotions surrounding death and loss. Their presence in public spaces underscores a growing commitment to addressing such sensitive subjects with care and understanding, ultimately enriching community well-being.