Explaining Death to A Child

If you are feeling unable to talk with your child about death, find someone you trust to do so.

Your child may have questions for you about what happened, what it means and what will happen to them. Try to reassure and answer each question as it is asked.

Explain death in basic terms. Be honest.

Remember a child’s attention span is short. He or she may be crying one moment and then running outside and playing the next. It is normal for children to play even when they have difficult emotions.

Like adults, children grieve differently. They often do not have the words to explain their feelings. Your child’s response to this death may depend upon their age. What small children need may be different than what an adolescent needs. But, all children need to be included, as much as they desire, in the family’s activities during the memorial or funeral services.

• Died means the person is not alive anymore. Their body has stopped working.
• Died means they cannot talk, breathe, walk, move, eat or do any of the things that they could when they were alive.
• Discuss your own beliefs and spirituality with the child. You can also share your beliefs in an afterlife — if you believe in one.
• Remembering is important for children. It may be helpful to share memories and talk about the person who died.