It's My Life . Parents/Teachers . Dealing With Death . Printable Discussion Questions

IML Quick Discussion Guide: Dealing With Death

Prior to using this Quick Discussion Guide, you and your child may want to do any or all of the following activities on "It's My Life":

Read the "Dealing With Death" article.
Work together to come up with a "You Said It" submission for this topic.
Print out the IML Journal page "Dealing with Death." Complete it together or encourage your child to complete it on his/her own.

General Discussion Questions:

Do you think our society is open enough about death? Why or why not?
Do you think it would be easier to deal with a sudden death of someone you love, or with losing that person after a long illness?
Do you think that dealing with death gets easier as you get older?

Discussion Questions Following a Death:

What have you been feeling or experiencing since he/she died?
Are you angry at anyone or anything?
Are you afraid of anything, like that someone else is going to die? Are you afraid that you are going to die?
Do you somehow feel guilty or blame yourself for this death?
Can we talk about positive and creative ways to express your grief? Is there something we can do together to help us both express how we feel?
Are there any specific questions you want to ask me about his/her death?
Do you feel better when we talk, or when you deal with your feelings by yourself?
Do you think it might help to talk to a counselor or therapist?
Do you think it might help to talk to kids your age who are going through the same thing, like at a grief group or group counseling session?
Do you want to talk about the family’s religious beliefs? Do you think it would help to talk to someone from our place of worship?
Do you want to ask me questions about how our family is going to cope without him/her?

Remember:

Let your child know that expressions of grief -- letting it out -- are helpful and appropriate.
Your child’s questions, whatever they may be, are also appropriate, and he/she deserves honest answers.
It’s okay to admit that you don’t have all the answers.