How To Explain Death, Loss, and Grief to Children: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Caring Adults

Many people in Western cultures are uncomfortable using the words: dead, death, or dying. Instead, the event is described using euphuisms: passing over, passed away, transitioned to the other side, even gone to sleep and won't wake up. Children, who may have seen bugs die, or dead birds, or may have even buried a pet, really have no frame of reference for "passing away." Children need to be given information about the death, in a caring and calm manner, according to their age and understand...