Death of a classmate...how to handle it?

[monumentus]

Originally Posted by AnnaNomus

Has anyone else dealt with this type of situation, and how did you handle it?

With all grief one of the best aids is to share that grief with others who have the same grief. What I would do is set some money aside - maybe contact other parents to add some too - and ask your kid if she would like to have some friends over - bit of a "party" and night in and sleep over - where they get out a few pictures of the lost friend - sit around and have a "remember" about it and a talk. Maybe think of some project they can work on together where they make something for the grave or some such.

The target at least is to get a few people sharing the same pain together and left alone to hash it out together and make sure it is a shared pain not an isolated one.

[CraigCreek]

Often bereaved families suggest memorial donations to a particular charity or cause close to the deceased. Perhaps this might be something you and your daughter would like to do. If you are unsure if the family has made such a suggestion, donations to animal welfare or child-oriented organizations are always appropriate, especially if there is a connection to the lost friend's interests.

Your daughter might also like to send a card to the little girl's family, or simply write her own message about her friend, or draw a picture illustrating a happy memory to send the family - I am sure this would mean much to them.

I'm saddened to learn of the death of this child, and that your daughter is having to deal with such a sad loss at such an early age, but it sounds as if you are helping her deal with her grief very well.