Communication about death depends on the child's age and experiences. Very young children may view death as temporary and may be more concerned about separation from their loved ones than about death itself. They can absorb only limited amounts of information. Give brief simple answers, and repeat them as often as necessary. Sometimes it can help if you can respond to a question with another question in order to clarify what they are asking and to fully understand their concerns.
Children often feel guilty and angry when they lose a close family member.
Reassure them that nothing they did or said caused the death. And remember to reassure them that they will continue to be loved and cared for. Children may mourn a deeply felt loss periodically for many years. Give them support and understanding through this grief process and permission to show their feelings openly and freely. You can also do activities with children that help them express their feelings, like drawing pictures, role-playing with dolls, writing letters, or by reading stories with them that allow them to relate their own feelings to the characters within the story.