Grief and support
How do I help children through a death?
Short answer
Use honest, age-appropriate language. Let them ask questions. Keep routines as normal as possible. Include them in age-appropriate ways if they want to be involved in the service. Watch for behavioral changes — those are often how children express grief.
What this usually means
Use honest, age-appropriate language. Let them ask questions. Keep routines as normal as possible. Include them in age-appropriate ways if they want to be involved in the service. Watch for behavioral changes — those are often how children express grief.
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.