A loved one is dying. When should I tell my child?

Children deserve to be informed about deaths that are happening in their lives.

We encourage grownups to talk with children as soon as possible when someone important to them is dying. Giving children honest, age-appropriate information gives them time to understand what is happening, ask questions, and conclude their relationship with that person in ways that are meaningful to them.

Including children in appropriate family conversations also reinforces that they have an important place in the family and can trust the grownups in their lives to tell them the truth.