Tips and Scripts for Explaining an Untimely Death
Death is death, regardless of the age of the deceased. All of the same explanations about death hold true, but these situations are especially painful because no one expects a person to die before his time.
Be honest: “Sarah had a problem with her body. The doctors tried very hard to fix it, but they could not, and Sarah died. Her body could not work the way it needed to, and so she died.” And then you add: “Usually this does not happen. Usually people live until they are very, very old.”
Reassure the child about your well-being: “My body is just fine. Daddy’s body is just fine. Your body is just fine. Your sister’s body is just fine. We have no problems with our bodies.”
