Questions Children Ask When Someone Dies
(~~Back To Professional Grief Information~~)
Why did he die? When did he die? How did he die? What does he look like now? How long will he be dead? Was he in pain? Is he in pain now? What will his family do now?
Is there a head on the body in the casket? Why are the legs cut off? ( if casket is closed above the knee), Why is the body so cold? Is he asleep? What happens to the body when it is buried? What does cremation mean? What happens at funerals? Why do people have parties when someone dies?
Will I die? Will my mom die? Will my dad die? How do you know when you are going to die?
Why don't you cry? Why do you cry so much? Why can't I cry? Why do I cry so much? Why did she leave me? How can I go on without her? If only I had let her borrow my shirt, then she would not have died.
How long will I feel bad? Why are my friends avoiding me? Why can't my family be like it used to be? When will the hurt go away? Will my family ever be normal again?
If an adult does not tell the truth about death, a child will know it and question the adult: Why do you say that? How do you know that? Who told you that? Of course a child may ask these questions if you have told them the truth as well.
If an adult uses words other than dead, the child will question: If he has "gone on a long trip" then lets go get him. If he has "gone away" or "passed on" then lets go find him. If GOD has "taken" him, will GOD come and take me too?
I wish Suzy had died instead of Mary ( or Mom instead of Dad).. Am I bad for thinking that? Why does someone young die when my grandma is so old and sick? How long does it take to readjust after a person dies? Am I going crazy? How can I talk to my family ( or the victim's family)? How do I get rid of the hurts? Who can I talk to? What do I say to someone who is dying? Will I die if I touch a dying person? Will I die of the same disease?
HALos's is deeply grateful to Juanita Johnson, M.A., C.G.T., D.D.E./ The Eaton Center/ 15 Eaton Avenue/ Norwich, NY 13815/ Norwich, NY 13815/ 607-336-8457/ Email: juanita@juanitajohnson.com/ Website: http://www.juanitajohnson.com
