Talking to Kids About Death

Everyone encounters death in some way throughout their life, and this is something I talk a lot with people about in therapy. Particularly, people feel confused about how to navigate talking with children about death. No one wants a child to feel the depths of despair that grief can bring, but we also want to make sure that children are able to understand what is happening. When this comes up, I share guidance similar to what Theresa Huntly outlines in her book, Helping Children Grieve: When Someone They Love Dies, “If we convey the message that it isn’t okay to talk about death, they will simply find another source for their information. Rather than attempting to hide death from children, we should discuss it openly, honestly, and naturally.” You can’t protect children from pain. All you can do is give them information and help show them that they aren’t alone, that you are there with them when they need it.

“If we convey the message that it isn’t okay to talk about death, they will simply find another source for their information. Rather than attempting to hide death from children, we should discuss it openly, honestly, and naturally.”

~ Helping Children Grieve: When Someone They Love Dies, by Theresa Huntley