I have never been a huge fan of live-action remakes of old Disney movies, but when I first saw the trailer for the new live-action Lilo and Stitch, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic. So, in preparation for the latest release, I decided to rewatch the original. Watching it years later, I noticed all these complex topics that I never understood as a child.

Lilo and Stitch is a Disney animated film about a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, being raised by her older sister, Nani, after the loss of their parents. To help Lilo cope, Nani decides to let Lilo adopt what they believe to be a dog, but it is actually an escaped alien experiment, Stitch. As Nani struggles to keep their family together, the three of them learn the meaning of love, family, and belonging.

When diving deeper into the central theme of the film, you can see how the loss of parents can turn one’s world upside down. Yet, Lilo and Stitch shows us that the power of faith, love, and ohana can help us navigate this loss.

For many children, losing a parent often forces the oldest sibling to pick up the responsibilities of those who passed. This role shift can be emotionally and physically overwhelming, especially in the early stages of grief.

In the film, Nani is forced to grow up much quicker and must learn to balance being a parental figure and a sister.  While at the beginning of the movie she felt as if this responsibility fell all on her shoulders, over time she learned to lean on others and accept help.

It is common to feel the need to take on all the responsibilities when someone dies, but this film reminds us that it is okay to accept help, and that finding joy in everyday moments and showing ourselves grace are essential to healing.

Lilo, too, struggles with the transition after losing her parents. She dealt with feelings of isolation and had difficulty connecting with others. However, when she met Stitch, the two formed a bond when they were most lost, and found comfort in each other. Loss may bring loneliness, but it doesn’t have to end in isolation. God can lead you to find healing in an unexpected connection as Lilo found in Stitch.

“Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind… or forgotten“

Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family, whether that is blood-related or not. This concept is what inspired me to write this blog. When faced with loss it is important to remember who your ohana is. When grieving, family can help carry to through difficult times, but also, keeping the memory of the of a loved one alive can help comfort in any stage of the healing process.

Lilo demonstrates her faith through her unwavering belief in Ohana, and as Catholics, we must always have trust in our faith. In times of loss, it is easy to feel abandoned and overwhelmed, but in these times, we turn to God. He walks with us and brings healing through relationships, love, and community.

Everyone experiences grief in a unique way, but it is important, especially for children, to have the proper tools to help understand and process grief. There are many resources to help children navigate loss, such as Joel’s Place, Cornerstone of Hope, Cleveland Cremation, and many other online resources.

Written By: Jennifer Kapcio | Marketing Intern | Catholic Cemeteries Association