A Ministry Forged in Grief, Fueled by Faith
Todd and Melissa Shaffer lost their 18yo son, Tristan, to suicide after a long battle with depression in 2020. This homeschooling family of six never imagined this tragedy would strike them.
Three years later, a fire incinerated their garage left them displaced. It was in that upheaval where Todd, an entertainment professional, felt compelled to make a documentary about surviving child loss.
Three years later, a fire incinerated their garage and left them displaced. It was in that upheaval where Todd, an entertainment professional, felt compelled to make a documentary about surviving child loss.
As they traveled across country to stay with family and friends until they could move into a new house, they filmed interviews of 11 bereaved parents for the documentary.
The interviews were so powerful, they decided to release them as a docuseries called Surviving Child Loss: The Conversations.
What began as a single 90 minute documentary has grown into a wider media ministry, not only for bereaved parents and siblings, but for the church.
Over 18 million parents have experienced the death of a child in the USA alone.
Evermore.org 2
OUR PROJECT MAP
Surviving Child Loss is a documentary effort that includes the pre-release of our interviews for the good of bereaved parents.
SURVIVING CHILD LOSS
THE FEATURE LENGTH CINEMATIC LAMENT
A unique, cinematic experience that is part documentary and part "cinematic" lament," that tells the Shaffer's story of losing Tristan to suicide & surviving as they walked with God through the pain.
This is the pinnacle project of Surviving Child Loss.
THE CONVERSATIONS
DISCOVERY INTERVIEW SERIES
These 16 interviews are the discovery material used to inform the Surviving Child Loss documentary. They are 40 to 90 minute conversations with bereaved parents sharing their stories of loss, survival, and trust in God. Bereaved couples have a common connection of pain, grace and wisdom that weave a fabric of hope.
We are releasing these interviews as a series before the documentary is completed because the wisdom and experiences of these parents need to be available to grieving parents.
Within these interviews are parents who have lost children to cancer, accident, suicide, still birth, illness, overdose, and combat.
Episode 1: Brad & Jill Sullivan lost Hannah to brain cancer
Episode 2: Arlo & Capri Weiskopf lost Amos in an auto accident
Episode 3: Tony & Teresa Davis lost Andrew in an airplane crash
Episode 4: Hal & Elizabeth Barge lost John to suicide
Episode 5: Larry & Janice Brown lost Adam in combat in Afghanistan
Episode 6: Ron & Nan Deal lost Connor to sudden illness
Episode 7: Dan & Kristen Naylor lost Abby in the womb due to an umbilical twist
Episode 8: Mark & Jennifer Martin lost Ethan to suicide
Episode 9: Jim & Carol Smitherman lost Sarah to pulmonary embalism
Episode 10: David & Tracie Freeman lost Nic to Fentanyl poisoning
Episode 11: Troy & Jana Solhjem lost Jeremiah in an ATV accident
Episode 12: Josh & Nicole Kingsbury lost Amber to suicide.
Episode 13: Miles & Lisa Armstrong lost Jacob to suicide.
Episode 14: TBA
Episode 15: TBA
Episode 16: TBA
Stretch Project
SPARROWS AMONG US
A 6 EPISODE SERIES OF MINI-DOCS
If funding for the documentary is goes over our needs, we will produce a series of mini-doc stories of child loss and survival told in a narrative, documentary format, less than 10-minutes in length.
These bite-sized documentaries present accessible "Netflix-style" shorts that focus on the key elements of each family's story.
HOW YOU CAN PARTNER WITH US
1. PRAYER
This spiritual warfare. We need crowd-prayer as much as we need crowdfunding. Prayer is an exercise of faith. Please pray for our work.
2. SHARE
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3. GIVE
Your gifts keep this project moving forward. All gifts are tax deductible through our 501 (c)(3) partners.
THIS PROJECT IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT
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News & updates come through our ministry Sparrow Falls
Citations
1. Christ, G., Bonanno, G., Malkinson, R. & Rubin, S. (2003). When Children Die: Improving Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Children and Their Families. Institute of Medicine, p.553-579.
2. Rogers, C., Floyd, F., Mailick Seltzer, M., Greenberg, J., & Hong, J. (April 2008). Long-Term Effects of the Death of a Child on Parents’ Adjustment in Midlife. Journal of Family Psychology, p. 203-211.
3. The following references:
Li, J., Laursen, T., Precht, D., Olsen, J., & Mortensen, P. (24 March, 2005). Hospitalization for Mental Illness among Parents after the Death of a Child. New England Journal of Medicine, p. 1190-1196.
Li, J., Hansen, D., Mortensen, P. B., & Olsen, J. (2002). Myocardial Infarction in Parents Who Lost a Child: a nationwide prospective cohort study in Denmark. Circulation, p. 1634-1639.
Li, J., Johansen, C., Hansen, D., & Olsen, J. (15 November, 2002). Cancer Incidence in Parents who Lost a Child: a nationwide study in Denmark. Cancer, p. 2237-2242.
Rostila, M., Saarela, J., & Kawachi, I. (2011). Mortality in Parents Following the Death of a Child: A Nationwide Follow-up Study from Sweden. Journal of Epidemiology Community Health, p. 927-933.
Umberson, D. (2017). Black Deaths Matter: Race, Relationship Loss, and Effects on Survivors. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 8Shear, K. (8 January, 2015). Complicated Grief. The New England Journal of Medicine, p. 153-160.
Copyright 2025. Todd Shaffer. All Rights Reserved.