How do you explain to a toddler about death?

[lightningcoach]

I personally feel it is important if your child has a close relationdship with DGM that they attend the viewing and funeral. I would also have them draw a picture or pictures for DGM to lay in the coffin.

Not to be morbid but it helped my DD when her Grandmother died to touch her hand while she lay in the casket and to feel the difference between someone alive and deceased. We were able to explain that the reason GM's skin feels different is because her spirit was now in heaven and our spirit is still in our bodies. When her spirit gets to heaven she will be given a new beautiful body.


I grew up in a home where my mom didn't want to hurt my psyche by letting me attend funerals and even hid the fact that my GGM had died while I was in college so I missed her funeral. It did more harm than good to me. I had no closure over any of my relatives deaths. By trying to protect me she only made me feel like death was some horrible thing to be avoided- but everyone is going to die. It is a natural part of life and should be dealt with in a healthy way.