LibraryScenariosWhen your child wants to die to reunite with the deceased
Scenario

When your child wants to die to reunite with the deceased

My five-year-old asked if heaven has playgrounds and I said yes but now she says she wants to die so she can play with her cousin.

Mira
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Well-intentioned descriptions of afterlife create dangerous appeal for a child who sees death as the path to reunion rather than separation.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Children and grief — supporting young people?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.