Explaining death to a child

Just be honest, factual and age appropriate. Grandad passed away he was old/ poorly /whatever and it's ok to feel sad that's what we did with my kids when we lost my grandma. They were 4 and 6 at the time

So sorry for your loss ❤️ I lost my grandad last year my boys were 2 & 5 at the time. I was honest with the 5 year old and said he was very ill and now he’s gone to live in heaven and won’t be in pain anymore. He cried a lot and kept him off for a few days as we saw him twice a week normally so definitely hit him hard. We explained that although he was happy he was very old (91) and he needed to rest now and go live in heaven where he could do that. But said you can talk to him when your sad, We drew a picture / letter to say goodbye. And I gave it to the funeral director to out with him. He also put a packet of ginger biscuits in as that was something we’d always buy before going to see him. It helped him say goodbye. He still makes cards for Christmas or his birthday and we give them to my Nan , As heartbreaking as it is it’s good to allow them to say goodbye and understand what’s happened. Xxx

My boy was 6 when we lost his great grandma. We just told she was old and sick, she died, we all gonna die one day so let's enjoy our time together. After that our cat passed and he said cat is with granny on the cloud playing together. Also he said that now grandma doesn't have any pain and she can run again ❤️

Hey lovely and sorry for your loss x Sending my condolences to you and your family. I have some tips here that I’ve shared in the past and it’s never easy x It is a delicate but is important for helping them process and understand loss. Here are some ways to approach it gently and clearly: 1. Use Simple, Honest Language • Use words they can understand, avoiding euphemisms like “gone to sleep” or “passed away,” which can be confusing. Instead, say that the person (or pet) has died, meaning they don’t feel pain or need anything anymore. 2. Acknowledge Feelings • Let them know that it’s okay to feel sad, confused, or even angry. Reassure them that these feelings are normal, and it’s okay to cry or ask questions. 3. Be Open to Questions • Children this age might have a lot of questions. Try to answer them honestly but briefly, and only offer more details if they ask. It’s okay to say you don’t have all the answers if you’re unsure.

4. Explain What “Death” Means • Children sometimes don’t fully understand that death is permanent. You could explain that when someone dies, their body stops working, and they won’t be able to talk, move, or feel anything anymore. 5. Reassure Their Safety • Kids this age may worry about their own safety or that of others. Assure them that they’re safe and that you, along with other loved ones, are there to take care of them. 6. Share Your Beliefs if Appropriate • If you have spiritual beliefs or ideas about an afterlife, this can be a comforting aspect to share. Let them know, though, that different people believe different things about what happens after death, and it’s okay to have their own thoughts or questions about it. 7. Use Stories or Books • There are many children’s books designed to explain death in a way that’s comforting and age-appropriate. Reading one together can help them feel supported and give them language to express their feelings.

8. Encourage Expression Through Activities • Offer them ways to express their feelings, such as drawing pictures, creating a memory box, or sharing a story about the person or pet who has died. These can provide an outlet for emotions they may not yet have words for.

Also look at how you can celebrate and remember the loved ones for future moments x

It’s a very tough situation. I’m not sure if you’ve done this yet? I had to tell my 7year old son that my partner passed away. I told him to chose a place he’d like to go to, he chose a forest. I said I’ve got something I need to tell him. And I explained first that he loved you very much, I’m really sorry he passed away. After he asked lots of questions, was in shock for a long time but we had many conversations about death and afterlife which helped him understand it’s just part of life….