James Van Der Beek’s Daughter Emilia, 9, Remembers Late Actor in Emotional Video: ‘I Know My Dad’s in a Good Place’

James Van Der Beek’s young daughter, Emilia, recently commemorated her first birthday without her father by sharing her reflections on grief. The nine-year-old marked this poignant occasion on March 8, just weeks after the actor’s passing due to stage 3 colorectal cancer at the age of 48 on February 11.

In a heartfelt video posted to her mother Kimberly Van Der Beek’s Instagram account, Emilia spoke candidly about how she is handling the loss of her father. “As you will probably know, my dad has passed away,” she said at the start of the video. She then revealed that she wanted to offer “little tips” for others coping with the loss of a loved one.

Emilia described her personal ritual for remembering her father, explaining, “So today is my dad’s birthday, and the number one thing for somebody’s passing is to talk to them and let your emotions out.” She encouraged others to express their feelings, suggesting that if someone misses a loved one, they should allow themselves to cry and communicate their thoughts. “I talk to my dad every day,” she added, sharing how she begins with a heartfelt greeting: “Hi, Dad. I miss you and I love you so much, and I’ll never stop loving you.”

The young girl conveyed a profound understanding of her father’s enduring presence, explaining, “You have to feel them in your heart, because they’re in your heart. They’re watching over you. They’re a part of your body and in a good place.” Emilia reassured viewers with a touching affirmation of her father’s current state, stating, “I know that my dad’s in a good place. He’s not in pain anymore. He’s in heaven above the clouds with God and the Lord.”

Emilia highlighted the complex emotions associated with loss, noting that it is possible to feel both sadness for missing someone and gratitude that they are no longer suffering. “Be happy they’re in a good place, but still be sad because you miss them,” she shared, adding that everyone experiences grief differently. “Everybody has different emotions in their body, and they express it in different ways,” she explained.

Further illustrating her approach to grief, Emilai recalled a lesson her father imparted: “If this doesn’t work out the way he wanted it to and the way we wanted it to for him living, I still have to believe in miracles.” She expressed a sense of hope, affirming that miracles can happen, albeit sometimes later in life.

Emilia also shared personal mementoes that help her feel connected to her father, revealing, “I stole his hat. My dad’s hat smells like him, and I love it so much.” Her sentiment underscored the cherished memories she holds onto, further emphasising how loved James was by many. “A lot of people loved him, and people prayed for him,” she remarked, also thanking those who have supported her family during this difficult time. Friends of Kimberly initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family, showcasing the community’s support.

James Van Der Beek first disclosed his cancer diagnosis to the public in November 2024, sharing that he was focused on his health and family following the discovery during a routine colonoscopy in August 2023. Kimberly announced her husband’s passing through an emotional Instagram post, where she expressed that James “passed peacefully” and faced his final days with remarkable courage and grace.

In Emilia’s tribute video, Kimberly noted, “She asked me if she could make a video to post today, walked outside and came back with this.” She also took time to honour James on social media with various sentimental posts, reflecting on the deep bond they shared. “Would be your 49th birthday today. And I’m missing you tremendously,” she poignantly captioned one photo, which showed the couple enjoying special moments together.

In addition to Emilia, the Van Der Beek family includes three other daughters, Olivia, Annabel, and Gwendolyn, alongside brothers Joshua and Jeremiah. The family’s resilience during this challenging period is evident, as they navigate their grief with strength, supported by each other and their extended community.