Resources for helping children deal with death, dying, and grief

Explaining death and dying to children, or helping a child through grief, can be complicated for parents, especially if they are simultaneously coping with their own grief.  First, make sure you have the support you need.  Hope for the Bereaved is a wonderful organization that provides resources for grieving children, adults and families.  The following is a book list that may be helpful in explaining death to children:

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs by Tomie de Paola

How it Feels When a Parent Dies by Jill Krementz

The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst and Erik Blegvad

The Dead Bird by Margaret Wise Brown and Remy Charlip

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia

A Quilt for Elizabeth by Benette Tiffault and Mary McConnell

Help Me Say Goodbye by Janis Silverman (a workbook that has children draw pictures to work out their feelings)

Water Bugs and Dragonflies:  Explaining Death to Young Children by Doris Stickney