What to say
Talking to your child about death
Telling a child that someone has died is one of the hardest things you may have to do. Your instinct may be to protect them from the pain of this information.
However, in our experience, not talking about a death can lead to confusion, and sometimes difficult feelings later on. Children will try to make sense of what has happened. If they are not given clear information, they may fill in the gaps themselves—often imagining things that feel more frightening.
Children can cope with difficult information when it is shared in a clear, honest, and age-appropriate way.
