Helping children cope with death.

When confronted with the death of a loved one, children usually behave according to their developmental level. In the young child, death may be perceived as separation, as the result of magical thinking, or as punishment. Children over six can understand explanations about the cause of death. Parents may seek advice from their family physician about such issues as how the child will react to the death, what the child should be told about death, and whether the child should attend the funeral.