Communication about death and dying depends on the child's level of cognitive development and his or her own personal experience. Very young children may be more concerned about separation from a loved one than about death itself.
Young children can absorb only limited amounts of information in a single sitting.
Answers need to be brief, simple, and repeated. A child often feels angry and guilty when losing a close family member. She or he needs assurance that she or he has been, and will continue to be, loved and cared for. Whether a young child should visit the dying or attend a funeral depends on age and ability to understand the situation, her or his relationship with the dying or dead person, and whether he or she wishes it. A child should be prepared in advance of visiting a dying loved one or attending a funeral.