Tips for Parents

Talk to your child and listen to what they have to say.
Answer their questions openly and honestly.
Use terms like dead and died; stay away from such terms as "gone to heaven", "is asleep", and "passed away". These terms can be confusing and can lead to other problems. (i.e. a child that is told that his loved one "went to sleep" might be afraid to go to bed)
Explain to them that everybody grieves differently and it is ok to feel what they feel even if it isn't the way everybody else feels.
Some of the common feelings children will feel are sad, angry, happy, guilty, lonely, numb, abandoned, and scared.
Explain it is ok to cry or laugh when they feel like it.
Explain it is ok to be happy in life again even with the death of a loved one.
Commemorate special dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or holidays that are important to the child.

Remember to...

Not give the child the traditional parenting role (activities include shoveling, mowing, cooking)
Listen to your child when he/she is ready to talk
Allow child to have memories, pictures, and keepsakes of the loved one
Maintain usual routines at home
Allow yourself to grieve. Children watch how their parents are mourning. It's ok to express your own sadness.