Talking to Your Child About Death

a woman is sitting on a couch holding the hand of a little girl .

Children's minds and imaginations are so pure and honest. They see the world for what they can understand and comprehend and tend to not absorb the parts that may seem dark and scary. As parents, it’s our job to protect these pure thoughts and keep our children happy and optimistic about the world. However, there will come a time when we must discuss the harsh realities of the world with our children. One of those topics is death. Whether it’s the loss of a family pet, a grandparent, parent or other relative, the idea that a person is gone forever is a tough reality to grasp at a young age. It’s key to talk to your child about death in an honest and sincere way. Here are some of our dos and don’ts when talking to your child about death.

Do: Be honest and clear

Children need complex concepts described clearly. Adding too much “fluff” to your wording will only confuse them and lead to more questions. It is important to be honest and straight to the point regarding death, saying things such as “Grandma died today. When someone dies their heart stops, and their body stops working. This means they don’t eat; they don’t breathe anymore, and we no longer get to see them.” While this may seem harsh, it is verbiage a child can grasp without adding fear and confusion.

Don’t: Use complex terms.

While saying things such as “Grandma went to sleep forever”, or “Aunt Sue passed away”, may sound less intense, they aren’t statements a child can easily understand. If Grandma can sleep forever, what if I do too? Using the term “sleep” when talking about death will only open a space of anxiety for your child, and potentially make them fearful of sleep.

Do: Take things slow.

Be prepared to take lots of pauses when talking to your children about death. It’s important not to overwhelm them with information all at once. Give them moments of silence to think through and understand what is being said to them and be willing to answer lots of questions. Prior to discussing death with your child, think about the questions your child may ask, and be prepared to answer them as effectively as possible.

Don't: Hide your emotions.

Parents, it is okay to cry when discussing these topics with your child. Never feel that you need to hide your emotions, as that will only make your child believe that’s how you react to situations such as death. It is critical to have raw, genuine emotions so your child can understand how this affects you and learn how to provide comfort. Given that death is inevitable, and the grieving process is not simple, your child will likely see you break down again. Being open about how you feel will benefit both you and your child.

Do: Inform them what to expect during a funeral.

Before a funeral service, ensure that your child understands what a funeral is. Make sure they know this is your final goodbye to the one you lost. People here will likely be sad, and it's okay to cry. If you have an open casket, be sure your child is prepared for that. Never pressure them to go up for a final viewing, as that may be uncomfortable for a young child.

Don’t: Force them to do anything.

If this is a child’s first exposure to losing a relative, they may experience emotions they have never felt before. Be patient with them throughout the funeral and remember that they are children who have just been exposed to a very real, and heartbreaking part of life. If your family is involved in the funeral ceremony, be sure that the child is only participating in what they are comfortable with. You should never force your child to participate in anything they do not want to. This is already a lot for them to grasp at once. While funerals are sad, you should try and make your child’s experience as positive as possible. This is so they are less likely to fear death and funerals down the road.

While this will be a tough conversation to have with your child, know you aren’t alone. All parents will have to discuss death with their child at some point. Being prepared and practicing what you will say to your child will make the experience easier for the both of you.

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