[LabRat]

We have had several deaths in the family, some of whom my almost 5yo daughter were close to. We explained that so-and-so died. That means they won't be around anymore because their body has stopped working. All were because of old age, so I just explained that as we get older, our bodies get worn out. Eventually we get to the point where we can't get better anymore, and when a person dies they get to continue living in our hearts and memories, so really they aren't ever gone. When she asked 'what happens to their body?' I explained that that the body goes to the cemetary, so you can visit whenever you need to. She has been with me to my dad's gravesite.

We have had no nightmares, etc. The last grandma that died, I told her and said we were going to the funeral without her, (happened during vacation, she stayed with the in-laws in Wisconsin, we came back early) and she was cool. She told me not to be sad. Later, she checked and said that she's living in our hearts now, right? And I told her yes.

I HATED beting told that X was now in heaven watching over me after they died. Seriously gave me the creeps, especially when having sex, to think that all my dead relatives, including my father were 'watching'. I absolutely refuse to tell my daughter the same thing, and opted for the living in your heart/memory. Which, really, is true.