Reunited

After a time the death of a loved one can palpably alter the way that death is perceived. People who have lost a loved one can find that fear of their mortality has lessened because they feel that they 'know' someone that has travelled to the beyond; that they will be reunited when the time is right.

For some, belief in reincarnation can mean looking forward to another chance to enjoy the pleasure of meeting their loved one all over again, maybe in another country and in another form. Many bereaved parents adamantly believe that they will see their child's face once more, either in the afterlife or in another plane of existence. Even when people do not actively believe in an afterlife or reincarnation, the idea becomes very appealing.

Thus, death loses its terrifying aspect. When a child dies, surviving children are often told that their brother or sister is in heaven or with the deity that their family worships. Children can feel relieved that their sibling will greet them when they eventually die - and when another family member dies (e.g. an elderly relative) the concept of death, mortality and the soul/spirit will be more familiar to them. They may be less sad believing that the relative they love will not be lonely in a strange place (i.e. the afterlife).

Adapted from: Joy Johnson, 'Keys To Helping Children Deal With Death And Grief', (Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1999)
Harold Kushner, 'When Bad Things Happen To Good People', (Random House, 1987)