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Young brother and sister sharing tablet device.

What do children and young people understand about death?

Advice
How much children understand about death will be different at different ages and stages of development. These are the most common understandings of death by children of different ages but remember that all children are special and unique and therefore, they will respond to and understand death in their own ...
Mum comforting older child.

Should children view the body of a loved one?

Advice
The decision to view the body of a loved one who has died is a very personal choice for adults, and it is the same for children. The important thing is that a child or young person is given the choice and that this is an informed choice – they ...

Should I tell my children that their loved one is dying?

Advice
When a parent, grandparent brother or sister is seriously ill, whether they have cancer or another illness, there may come a point when you know that they may not survive. This will be a dreadful realisation for you to come to terms with, and you will be faced with the ...
Dad using laptop with son watching on and daughter using tablet device.

Do children grieve differently to adults?

Advice
Although they will feel it just as deeply, children will experience and express grief in different ways to adults. The way children grieve will mostly depend on their age and understanding of death as well as their ability to talk about their thoughts and feelings. This can often make their reactions ...
Suggested reading list

Suggested Reading List

Advice
Using stories and activities can be a really good way to explore issues with a child who has been bereaved. We have created a list of books, which we have found helpful when working with bereaved children, young people and their families. There are also textbooks and reference sources for ...
Mother talking with daughter on the sofa

Talking to children and young people about suicide in the news

Advice
It is a sad fact that suicide rates are tragically on the rise in the UK. Stories are regularly reported in the media, widely communicated in person and across social media, resulting in exposure to sometimes quite distressing reports. When these sorts of events hit the news, it’s important to think ...
Small girl sat on the floor looking sad while her mum strokes her hair

Should children attend a funeral?

Advice
Some families believe that children should not attend a funeral. However, it can help them to begin to accept the reality of the death and also to be less scared. Children are usually more scared about what they don’t know than what they are allowed to be part of as ...
Asian mum on the phone with young child and laptop in front of her.

Preparing a child to attend a funeral

Advice
The involvement of children and young people in funerals and other rituals following a death will, of course, vary in families depending on their cultural and religious beliefs, but it can help children if they can see for themselves rather than let their imaginations run riot. From conversations with bereaved children ...
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