FAQs | GLOSSARY | STAFF | TCHAP HOME
Children’s Understanding of Death:
• Child begins to think more like adults
• Child is able think more abstractly, now understands more fully the implications of death.
• Child may view suicide as means of getting back at someone, but also see it as reversible (because some survive it) and reoccurable (because some try it more than once).
• Can acknowledge that life is fragile.
Possible Related Behaviors:
• Want to assume more adult role
• Anger
• Preoccupation with death: taking on mannerisms of deceased, aggression.
• Regression: idealization of deceased
• Practice denial of death by risk taking.
• May be very critical of parents’ handling of financial arrangements, funeral traditions, etc.
What You Can Say/Do:
• Review suggestions for school-age children for “What you can say or do”
• Encourage communication first in family, but also find it beneficial to involve trusted friend or counselor.
• Important to have physical touch and “I love you” spoken often.
• Discuss role changes which may occur in family structure.
Select from the links below for more information about specific age groups:
• Infants
• Preschool
• Schoolage
• Adolescents
Source: University of Nebraska Medical Center Child Life Department and Munroe-Meyer Institution, Copyright 1986. 5th reprint March 1999. For copies contact the Child Life Department (402) 559-6775.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us:
 • Mother/Baby Unit: 261-4892
• Newborn Intensive Care Unit: 261-3614
• Pediatric Intensive Care: 261-3133
• Spiritual Care Department: 261-3275
• Social Worker on-call: 562-2211
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