After a parent's death, explain honestly, offer the child a supported farewell, and preserve stability where possible

Nothing. It can be hard to explain clearly while grieving yourself.

The study included all people born in Denmark during 1968–2008 and Sweden during 1973–2006, plus an 89.3% sample of Finnish births during 1987–2007, totaling more than 7.3 million people. Of them, 189,094 lost a parent before age 18. Their all-cause mortality rate ratio was 1.50, 95% CI 1.43–1.58. Following an unnatural parental death such as accident or suicide, the ratio was 1.84, 1.71–2.00; following a natural death it was 1.33, 1.24–1.41. Associations were greatest when the child's cause of death belonged to the same category as the parent's.

Avoid invented explanations such as “they have gone on a long trip.” Put guardianship and care arrangements in writing. The evidence is B because the large nationwide cohorts support the association but do not directly test how to explain a death or whether a child should attend a farewell. The authors lacked data on post-bereavement parenting and children's lifestyles. Inherited health factors and lasting effects of bereavement may both contribute. The source's practical preference for familiar surroundings should be adapted to the child's safety, needs, and wishes. For guardianship and property arrangements, see chapter 17; for child support and education, chapter 18.

Li J et al. (2014). Mortality after parental death in childhood: a nationwide cohort study from three Nordic countries. PLoS Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001679