Question:  

My father died this year, and our grade-school-aged son has been asking questions.  He wants to know where grandpa has gone and whether he has become a “guardian angel.”  What’s the best way to talk about death with a child?

 

Answer:

Death is part of life, and it’s important for children to understand this.  We’d encourage you to be open and honest with your kids about their grandfather’s passing.  Look for teachable moments and opportunities to talk frankly, not only about what’s happened, but also about their feelings about it.  Let them know that you miss grandpa, too, and that it’s okay to feel sad when we lose a loved one. 

 

Be sure to use age-appropriate language when talking to your kids about subjects of this nature.  Bear in mind that most young children don’t have the capacity to grasp abstract concepts like death and eternity.  There’s a good chance that they will not fully understand what has happened to their grandfather and won’t be able to appreciate the permanence of death. So keep the discussion simple, geared to your children’s level of maturity and insight.  Most of all, focus on God’s promise of eternal life to all who believe in Jesus.  It’s vital to concentrate on this hopeful aspect of death.

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