Finding the Words: How to Talk with Children and Teens about Death, Suicide, Homicide, Funerals, Cremation, and other End-of-Life Matters

by Alan D. Wolfelt

With this compassionate book by respected grief counselor and educator Dr. Alan Wolfelt, readers will find simplified and suitable methods for talking to children and teenagers about sensitive topics with an emphasis on the subject of death. Honest but child-appropriate language is advocated, and various wording and levels of explanation are suggested for different ages when discussing topics such as death in general, suicide, homicide, accidental death, the death of a child, terminal illness, pet death, funerals, and cremation. An ideal book for parents, caregivers, and counselors looking for an easy resource when talking to youths about death, this book can be used for any setting, religious or otherwise.

Genres: Nonfiction, Grief

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Andrea Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for those companioning children through grief. It was incredibly comprehensive in its span of age ranges, topics and types of death, and depending on the relationship to the person who died. As a school counselor, I didn’t find anything groundbreaking in this book but it had great reminders for mental health professionals. It would be a crucial read for anyone navigating grief with children as a new topic/concept!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish people talked to me about death like this when I was growing up.

[wilfredo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it

I enjoyed the book but wished that it also had and audio available for people on the go to be included.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful book for talking the children about these difficult subjects. Wish I would have had this book when my elder son died. Dealing with his younger brother would have been much easier if I had been able to read this first.