NOTES FROM GRIEF

When a pet's death involves a decision, explaining it honestly — without frightening language or vague euphemisms — helps a child trust what you tell them, now and later.

"What happens after we die?" is one of the biggest questions a child can ask, and one of the hardest to answer honestly. Here's how to respond without overpromising or shutting the conversation down.

The words you choose matter more than most adults expect. Here's a plain-language guide to what to say, what to avoid, and why the difference isn't just semantics.