Who should tell children that someone they love has died, and how?
Parents or the primary care givers should be responsible for telling their children that someone they love has died; however, if it is the primary caregivers who have died, then it should be a relative or close family friend who might be considered the secondary care giver. When a death has occurred, the person making the announcement should take the child into a private room, and explain to the child “grandpa has died, and that means his heart has stopped working. He can not talk anymore, and he will not be able to eat or even watch television anymore.” Be honest about the person dying. Whatever is said, do not tell children that someone has gone on a long journey, or is taking a nap. Children assume that this means that the person will eventually come back, or that they have been abandoned. Once children have been told about the death of someone they love, it will then be time to sit back, listen, and answer questions they may have. Adults will find out the level of their children’s
