NCB Now: Comment - Children need support to handle bereavement

Some adults think it's best to say nothing, particularly when children are very young. However, evidence shows that even those who are too young to understand what death means will mourn the loss of someone close. They might not be able to say how they feel, but changes in their behaviour such as bedwetting, crying or regressing can indicate their distress and anxiety.

Bereavement can provoke worries and raise questions for a child such as: What happens when someone dies? Was it my fault? Who will look after me? Will other people die too? Research shows children do better when someone listens to them carefully and reassures them. Simple, honest information given at a child's pace can help them understand what has happened and what might happen next. Clear, concrete language helps, rather than euphemisms such as "she's gone to sleep" or "we've lost him", which can often confuse children.