Tips For Explaining the Concept of Death to Children

By: Tom Gallagher
Wednesday, August 28, 2019

It isn't easy for adults to deal with the death of a family member or someone very close to them, but they understand the concept of death. However, that isn't the case with children. Very young kids don't know what death means and the finality that is attached to it. This is why it's essential to explain the concept of death correctly to children. The way you explain it to them will stay with them for a long time, so you need to make sure you are handling the talk in the right way.

Tips to Follow

The reason why many adults avoid having frank discussions about death with very young children is that they don't want to alarm them. They want to shield them from shock and sadness, but it's essential to be candid while talking about death. These tips can help you explain the concept of death to children in a better way:

  • Always be clear and precise during the discussions and keep vagueness at bay. The child needs to have a clear understanding of the concept and understand what has happened. Make sure that the child has understood that when a person dies, they stop breathing, moving, and talking and that they will not be coming back.
  • One way to make it easier for children to understand this is to introduce the concept of death like you would talk about any other topic. For example, if the child sees a dead butterfly in your garden, explain what has happened. This explanation will stay with them, and it will become easier for you to explain the death of a family member or someone you know.
  • Never be hasty with the explanation and never have the discussion when the child is unsettled or stressed.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our funeral services, don’t hesitate to contact us at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home. We’ll be happy to help.

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