Reality is replaced with psychological defenses. Children need our help to sort our their emotions. When we can discuss death with children openly, we enable them to live more freely. We regard death as an integral part of life. It is as simple and as real as that.
Self deception is of no avail.
Acting with anything less than total honesty towards children will only hinder their ability to face and to accept this ultimate reality. Children are more aware of death than we realize. Death confronts them at an early age. A pet dies. A funeral procession drives by.