9 Children, Teens and Suicide Loss Should my child view the body? Give children informed choices about whether or not to view the body of the person who died based on the information that you have. Give them a clear sense of what to expect, and talk with them about how seeing the body might be difficult, but also how it might be helpful to them. Reassure them that they can change their mind, even at the last second. For some, seeing the body helps them to understand that the person is dead. It can also make it easier for young children to grasp that the person’s body is no longer working. If viewing the whole body is not possible, find out from the funeral director whether the child could see part of the person’s body. If you don’t want to see the body but your child does, see if a family member or friend is willing to join them. Speak to the person who will accompany the child before the viewing to prepare them to answer questions that the child may ask. What can I do if my child saw the death happen or found the body? Ask your child about what they may have seen, heard, and felt. Don’t overload them with questions, but acknowledge their experience, and allow them to share what they are thinking, feeling, and worried about. It may be helpful to have another adult present if you are concerned about how you might react to what you are told. Can you tell me what happened? What are you worried about right now? What can I do to help you? Some children will have night terrors, flashback images, fears, and insecurities. Other behaviors they might exhibit include needing to be around an adult at all times or wanting to be alone. Young children may revert to earlier behaviors such as wetting the bed, thumb-sucking, having tantrums, having difficulty talking, and hitting, kicking, or biting.