Death Of A Child
How do I handle surviving siblings after a child dies?
Short answer
Tell them the truth in age-appropriate terms. Include them in the grieving process to the degree they want. Watch for changes in behavior, sleep, or school performance. A child therapist familiar with grief can help. Do not try to protect them from…
What this usually means
Tell them the truth in age-appropriate terms. Include them in the grieving process to the degree they want. Watch for changes in behavior, sleep, or school performance. A child therapist familiar with grief can help. Do not try to protect them from the reality — children handle truth better than uncertainty.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.