Children & Grief

Talking to a child about death is never easy. Many adults worry about saying the wrong thing or not knowing how much to share. Children generally benefit from honest, age-appropriate conversations. They may not fully understand what has happened, but they can sense when something is different and often look to the adults around them for reassurance.

Children experience grief differently than adults, and their understanding changes as they grow. They may express grief through questions, behavior, play, or changes in mood rather than through words.

Talking with a child about death:

• Use simple, clear language
  “Their body stopped working and they died. I feel sad, too.”

• Answer questions honestly, in small pieces
  You don’t need to explain everything at once.

• Make room for questions—or no questions at all
  Children often process what has happened slowly and may return to the same questions over time.

• Offer reassurance

       Remind them that they are safe, loved, and cared for



Words that can be confusing

Young children often understand language literally. Phrases intended to soften death can sometimes create confusion or fear.

• “They went to sleep”
• “We lost them”
• “They passed away” or “went away”

If your family has spiritual or religious beliefs about death, those can be shared alongside clear language about what physically happened.

How grief may look at different ages:

• Younger children may become more clingy, have trouble sleeping, or show changes in behavior.

• School-age children may ask more questions, worry about safety, or have difficulty concentrating.

• Teens may withdraw, act out, or try to appear unaffected, even when they are struggling.

A child’s reactions may come and go. Grief can also be revisited at new developmental stages as they grow and understand the death in new ways.



Grief support for children in our community

Supporting children after a death often takes more than one conversation. That’s why Waite Funeral Homes partnered with the Medina County District Library to create Grief Kits for children and caregivers.

Designed for preschool and school-age children, the kits offer age-appropriate ways for families to talk about death, express emotions, and begin navigating grief together.

Each kit may include:

• Carefully selected books about grief and death
• Simple activities that help children express emotions
• Guidance and resources for parents and caregivers

Grief Kits are available for checkout through Medina County District Library branches. To learn more about why we created the kits, and the young member of our family who inspired them, watch the video below.

You don’t need perfect words

Supporting a grieving child doesn’t require having every answer. Being present, using honest language, listening when they want to talk, and continuing to show up over time can matter more than finding exactly the right thing to say.

If you’re looking for additional guidance or resources for a child who is grieving, we’re here to help. Contact us at any of our locations, and we'll help point you toward resources that may be useful for your family.