• About BVHS
  • Mayo Clinic Care Network
  • News & Media
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • |
  • Careers
  • |
  • Support The Foundation
  • |
  • MYHEALTH LOGIN
  • |
  • Pay Bill
  • |
  • Search
Blanchard Valley Health System
  • Find a Doctor
    • Find
  • Services
    • Featured

      • Cancer Care
      • Cardiology - HeartCare
      • Orthopedics
      • Outpatient Services
      • Senior Living
      • Women's Health

      Other Specialities

      • Medical Equipment
      • Home Health Services
      • Pharmacy
      • Hospice

      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
      • P
      • Q
      • R
      • S
      • T
      • U
      • V
      • W
      • X
      • Y
      • Z

      See Full List of Services
  • Locations
    • Hospitals

      • Blanchard Valley Hospital
      • Bluffton Hospital
      img

      Blanchard Valley Hospital

      1900 South Main St
      Findlay, OH 45840

      Open in Google mapsLearn more
      img

      Bluffton Hospital

      139 Garau Street
      Bluffton, OH 45817

      Open in Google mapsLearn more
      Or search by category:
      • BVMP
      • Lab
      • Imaging
      • Urgent Care
      • Senior Services
      • All Locations
  • Blanchard Valley Medical Practices
  • Patients & Visitors
      • I'm a patient

      • MyHealth Patient Portal
      • Pricing Information
      • Patient Guide
      • Share Your Feedback
      • Billing & Insurance
      • Medical Records
      • I'm a visitor

      • Maps and Directions
      • Parking
      • Visitors Hours and Guidelines
      • Local Hotels
      • Gift Shops
      • Send an eCard to a Patient
  • Education & Resources

      Education & Resources

    • Classes & Events
    • Expert Health Articles
    • Health Library
    • Educational Videos
    • Care Navigation Services
    • Cancer Screenings
    • Home Health Services
    • Medical Equipment
    • Hanco EMS
    • Designate Another Adult to Obtain Medical Care for Your Child
    • Community Health Needs
    • Speakers' Bureau
    • Volunteer
  • Health Care Professionals

      Health Care Professionals

    • Transfer a Patient
    • Physician Liaison
    • Physician and Advanced Practice Opportunities
    • Nursing
    • Pharmacy Program
    • Scholarships
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • American Heart Association Classes
    • Lab Collection Methods
    • Join Our Team
    • Associate Portal
Skip to main content
StayWell
Home Health Centers Cancer Children and Cancer

Cancer

  • Translate

    • Spanish Content

      • Enfermedades y afecciones
      • Cirugías y procedimientos
      • Medicamentos
      • Videoteca
      • Recursos en Internet
Spanish Content
Health Library Explorer
Go
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
  • Conditions & Treatments
    • Adult Health Library
      • Allergy and Asthma
      • Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases
      • Bone Disorders
      • Breast Health
      • Cardiovascular Diseases
      • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
      • Dermatology
      • Diabetes
      • Digestive Disorders
      • Endocrinology
      • Environmental Medicine
      • Eye Care
      • Gynecological Health
      • Hematology and Blood Disorders
      • Home Health, Hospice, and Elder Care
      • Infectious Diseases
      • Kidney and Urinary System Disorders
      • Liver, Biliary, and Pancreatic Disorders
      • Men's Health
      • Mental Health Disorders
      • Nervous System Disorders
      • Non-Traumatic Emergencies
      • Oral Health
      • Orthopaedic Surgery
      • Otolaryngology
      • Pathology
      • Pediatrics
      • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
      • Plastic Surgery
      • Pregnancy and Childbirth
      • Prostate Health
      • Radiology
      • Respiratory Disorders
      • Skin Cancer
      • Spine, Shoulder, and Pelvis Disorders
      • Surgical Care
      • Travel Medicine
      • Women's Health
    • Pediatric Health Library
      • Adolescent Medicine
      • Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
      • Blood Disorders
      • Burns
      • Cardiology
      • Care of the Terminally Ill
      • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
      • Child Having Surgery
      • Craniofacial Anomalies
      • Common Childhood Injuries and Poisonings
      • Dental and Oral Health
      • Dermatology
      • Diabetes Endocrinology
      • Digestive and Liver Disorders
      • Ear, Nose, and Throat
      • Eye Care
      • Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders
      • Growth and Development
      • High-Risk Newborn
      • High-Risk Pregnancy
      • Infectious Diseases
      • Medical Genetics
      • Neurological Disorders
      • Normal Newborn
      • Oncology
      • Orthopaedics
      • Pregnancy
      • Respiratory Disorders
      • Safety and Injury Prevention
      • Transplantation
    • Tests and Procedures
      • Cardiovascular
      • Gastroenterology
      • Gynecology
      • Lab Tests
      • Neurological
      • Orthopaedic
      • Pulmonary
      • Urology
    • Prevention Guidelines
      • Children Ages 0-2
      • Children Ages 2-18
      • Men Ages 18-39
      • Men Ages 40-49
      • Men Ages 50-64
      • Men Ages 65+
      • Women Ages 18-39
      • Women Ages 40-49
      • Women Ages 50-64
      • Women Ages 65+
  • Health Centers
    • Asthma
      • Understanding Asthma
      • Pulmonary Tests & Procedures
      • Controlling Asthma Triggers
      • Managing Your Asthma
      • Asthma and Other Conditions
      • For Your Family
    • Cancer
      • About Cancer
      • Cancer and Genetics
      • Cancer Test and Procedures
      • Cancer Diagnosis
      • Cancer and Nutrition
      • Cancer Treatment
      • Cancer Treatment Side Effects
      • Living With Cancer
      • Specific Cancers
      • Children and Cancer
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
      • What is COPD?
      • Pulmonary Tests & Procedures
      • Managing Your COPD
      • Preventing COPD
    • Diabetes
      • Understanding Diabetes
      • Types of Diabetes
      • Complications of Diabetes
      • Managing Diabetes
      • Diabetes and Your Family
    • Heart Disease
      • Understanding Heart Disease
      • Cardiac Tests & Procedures
      • Heart Conditions and Diseases
      • Women and Heart Disease
      • Diabetes and Heart Disease
      • Congenital Heart Disease
      • Cardiac Rehabilitation
      • Managing Heart Disease
      • Preventing Heart Disease
    • Neuroscience
      • About the Brain and Nervous System
      • Neurological Tests and Procedures
      • Neurological Conditions and Diseases
      • Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders
      • Headaches
      • Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
      • Understanding Rehabilitation
      • Children & Neurological Conditions
    • Obesity and Bariatric Surgery
      • Understanding Obesity
      • Obesity and Health Problems
      • Treating Obesity
      • Bariatric Surgery
      • Lifestyle Changes
      • Childhood and Obesity
    • Orthopedics
      • Basic Anatomy
      • Orthopedic Tests and Procedures
      • Orthopedic Conditions and Disorders
      • Arthritis and Rheumatic Disorders
      • Osteoporosis
      • Fractures
      • Sports Injuries
      • Preventing Injuries at Work
      • Orthopedic Conditions and Children
    • Pregnancy & Newborns
      • Preparing for Pregnancy
      • Your Changing Body
      • Your First Trimester
      • Your Second Trimester
      • Your Third Trimester
      • Pregnancy Tests and Procedures
      • Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyles
      • Pregnancy Complications
      • Labor, Birth, and Postpartum
      • Your Newborn Baby
      • When Baby Needs Special Care
      • Feeding Your Baby
  • Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
    • Drug Interaction Checker
    • Drug Search
    • Drug Search by Physical Description
    • Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements
      • Amino Acids
      • Herbs
      • Minerals
      • Vitamins
      • Other
      • All
  • Nutrition & General Wellness
    • Healthy Recipes
      • By Dietary Considerations
      • By Food Category
    • Nutrition Facts
    • Wellness Library
      • At Work
      • Behavior
      • Dental
      • Diseases & Conditions
      • Fitness
      • Injuries & Emergencies
      • Nutrition
      • Parenting
      • Prevention
      • Safety
      • Today's Medicine
      • Weight Control
      • Your Body
  • Your Family
    • Children's Health
      • The Healthy Child
      • Children and Healthcare
      • Emotions and Behavior
      • Age-Specific Concerns
      • Parenting
    • Men's Health
      • In Good Health
      • Health Issues
      • Sexual Health & Reproduction
      • Sports Injuries
    • Older Adults
      • Living Better, Living Longer
      • Eating Well, Staying Fit
      • Prevention, Self-Care, and Safety
      • Using Medications
      • Health Concerns: Head to Toe
      • Long-Term Planning
      • For the Caregiver
      • Home Health and Hospice Care
    • Women's Health
      • A Woman's Journey
      • In Good Health
      • Women's Health Issues
  • News Center
    • Focus on Health
    • Health News
    • Newsletters
      • Cancer Awareness
      • Chronic Condition News
      • For Your Child
      • Heart Care
      • Men's Health
      • Women's Health
  • Healthy Living
    • Back and Neck Care
      • Back and Neck Basics
      • Causes of Back and Neck Pain
      • Keeping Your Back Healthy
      • Dealing With Back Pain
      • Preventing and Treating Neck Pain
      • Back Pain and Pregnancy
    • Blood Pressure
      • Blood Pressure Basics
      • Eating Healthier
      • Getting Exercise
      • Losing Weight
      • Managing Stress
      • Quitting Smoking, Limiting Alcohol
      • Taking Medication
    • Cholesterol
      • Understanding Cholesterol
      • Eating Healthy
      • Managing Weight
      • Getting Exercise
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Taking Medication
    • Fitness
      • Why Fitness Matters
      • Get Started
      • Get Moving
      • Stay Motivated
      • Make Time for Fitness
      • Improve Your Health
      • Children & Teens
      • Women
      • Older Adults
    • Mental Health
      • During Life's Journey
      • Common Conditions
      • Support and Stability
    • Nutrition
      • Nutrition Basics
      • Healthy Practices
      • Nutrition and Health Conditions
      • Children and Teens
      • Pregnant Women
    • Smoking Cessation
      • Facing Up to Smoking
      • Planning Your Quit Strategy
      • Taking the Big Step
      • Staying Smoke-Free
      • Teens and Smoking
      • Smoking During Pregnancy
    • Stress Management
      • Understanding Stress
      • Keys to Managing Stress
      • Stress on the Job
      • Stress and Family
    • Weight Management
      • Call to Action
      • About Weight Loss
      • Nutrition
      • Exercise
      • Behavior
      • Related Health Issues
      • Children and Teens
  • Tools & Multimedia
    • Animations Plus
    • Calculators
    • Quizzes
    • Risk Assessments
    • Video Library

A Child's Concept of Death

Every child has his or her own concept of death. Past experiences with death, as well as age, emotional development, and surroundings are what most influence a child's idea of death. Cartoons, movies, TV, video games, and even books are filled with images of death. The child may have experienced death of a family member, friend, or pet in the past.

An adult's feelings and fear about death are often transferred to his or her children. Treating death as a part of life is hard. But it may help ease some of the fear and confusion linked with it.

Children may be more or less mature in their thinking and processing information than others at a similar age. The following are children's ideas of death, according to common developmental ages.

Baby

Babies have no concept of death. Babies do react to separation from a parent, painful procedures, and any change in their routine. A baby who is terminally ill will need as much physical and emotional care as any age group. Keeping a consistent routine is important for a baby and their caregivers. Because babies can't talk about their needs, fear is often expressed by crying.

Toddler

For the toddler, death has very little meaning. They may feel anxious and afraid because those around them are sad, depressed, scared, or angry. Toddlers may not understand the terms "death" or "forever" or "permanent." Even with past experiences with death, the child may not understand the relationship between life and death. To them, death is not a permanent condition

Preschool

Preschool-aged children may start to understand that adults fear death. This age group may view death as temporary or reversible, as in cartoons. Death is often explained to this age group as "went to heaven." Most children in this age group don't understand that death is permanent, that everyone and every living thing will eventually die, and that dead things don't eat, sleep, or breathe. Death should not be explained as "sleep." 

Their experience with death is influenced by those around them. They may ask questions about "why?" and "how?" death happens. The preschool child may feel that their thoughts or actions have caused the death and sadness of those around. They may have feelings of guilt and shame.

When children in this age group become seriously ill, they may think it's punishment for something they did or thought about. They don't understand how their parents could not have protected them from this illness.

This idea may make preschool-age siblings of a dying child feel as if they are the cause of the illness and death. Young siblings of dying children need reassurance and comforting during this time period, as well.

School-age

School-aged children have a more realistic understanding of death. Although death may be personified as an angel, skeleton, or ghost, this age group is starting to view death as permanent. They know that everyone dies. They may be very curious about the physical process of death and what happens after a person dies. They may fear their own death because of uncertainty of what happens to them after they die. Fear of the unknown, loss of control, and separation from family and friends can be the school-aged child's main sources of anxiety and fear related to death.

Teen

As with people of all ages, past experiences and emotional development greatly influence a teen's concept of death. Most teens understand that death is permanent, and that everyone dies. They may or may not have experienced the death of a family member, friend, or pet.

Teens, like adults, may want to have their religious or cultural rituals observed.

Most teens are starting to establish their identity, independence, and relation to peers. A main theme in teens is feeling immortal or being exempt from death. Their realization of their own death threatens all of these objectives. Denial and defiant attitudes may suddenly change the personality of a teen facing death. Teens may feel as if they no longer belong or fit in with their peers. They may also feel as if they are unable to communicate with their parents.

Self-image is also important to teens. A terminal illness or the effects of treatment may cause many physical changes that they must endure. Teens may feel alone in their struggle, and scared, and angry.

It's important for parents to realize that children of all ages respond to death in unique ways. Children need support and, in particular, someone who will listen to their thoughts, and reassure them to ease their fears.

Online Medical Reviewer: Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN CCRC
Online Medical Reviewer: Liora C Adler MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Pat F Bass MD MPH
Date Last Reviewed: 11/1/2018
© 2000-2019 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Contact Our Health Professionals
Find a Doctor Pay My Bill MyHealth
Follow Us

Related Items

Pediatric Diseases and Conditions

  • Discussing Death with Children

  • For Parents: Important Decisions to Be Made in the Dying Process

  • Home Page - Care of the Terminally Ill Child

  • Hospice

  • Palliative Care
  • View All 8
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.
About StayWell | StayWell Disclaimer

Patients

  • MyHealth Login
  • Pricing Information
  • Patient Guide
    • Pre-Registration - OB
    • Maps and Directions
    • Parking
    • Bedside Pharmacy
    • Discharge
    • Advance Directives
    • Patient Rights
    • Privacy Statement
    • Recognize Caregiver
    • Compliance
    • Spiritual Care
  • Share Your Feedback
    • Blanchard Valley Medical Practice
    • General BVHS Care
  • Billing and Insurance
  • Medical Records

Visitors

  • Maps and Directions
  • Parking
  • Visiting Hours and Guidelines
    • Blanchard Valley Hospital Visitation Hours
    • Bluffton Hospital Visitation Hours
  • Local Hotels
  • Gift Shop
  • Send an eCard to a Patient

Health Care Professionals

  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Professional Education Courses
  • Refer/Transfer a Patient
  • Physician Recruitment
  • Nursing
  • Students
  • Join Our Team

Blanchard Valley Health System

1900 South Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840
419.423.4500

    
Mayo Clinic Member badge
  • Associate Portal
  • |
  • Vendors
  • |
  • Site Map
  • |
  • © 2019 Blanchard Valley Health System
  • |
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • |
  • Privacy Notice