Concept of death

• death as separation or abandonment
• awareness that something is wrong

Grief response

• fussiness
• momentary sadness
• separation anxiety

Concept of death

• death as abandonment
• believe death is temporary or reversible 

Grief response

• intense, brief response
• repetitive questioning 
• anxious about basic needs being met 

Concept of death

• death is temporary or reversible 

Grief response

• 'magical thinking' - feel responsible for death
• repetitive questioning 
• feel confused, distressed 
• acts as if nothing has happened 

Concept of death

• beginning to understand permanence of death
• may think death is a punishment for bad behaviour

Grief response

• may feel responsible for death
• desire for details about death
• concerned about response of others
• developing ability to mourn and understand mourning

Concept of death

• death as inevitable, universal, irreversible
• higher-order thinking about death 
• true concept of death 

Grief response

• depression, denial 
• repression (holding back on feelings)
• may be more inclined to talk to people outside of family 
• feel embarrassed 
• prioritises peers over family 
• mourn in an expected or typical way