Childhood bereavement

The information supplied on this page is to help you to help a bereaved child.

How do children react when someone dies?

There is no right or wrong way to react and every child will be different. If you are caring for a child, it may help to know what many children say, think and feel when someone important to them dies. Many children find it difficult to express how they are feeling, however many children do manage to cope remarkably well.

What can I do to help?

Many adults worry that they will frighten a child by telling them the truth. Sometimes a child's own ideas about what happened may be more frightening to them than the truth. Not all their questions will have answers, but by giving the children the chance to ask those questions, and to tell you what they think and feel, you are being as helpful as if you were providing the answers.

Showing a child that you care and are interested in them is always helpful. Talking about the person who has died, and bringing them to mind, will often help both children and adults. Younger children may need your help to find their own ways of remembering. Looking at photographs, drawing and painting, are all ways in which children can express themselves, or remember special times with the person who has died.