16 Children, Teens and Suicide Loss mentioned at all, it should be very brief, e.g., “He shot himself.” If your child doesn’t want to respond to the question in that moment, they can say, “I don’t want to talk about that right now.” Still, keep in mind your child’s peers may find out what happened regardless, especially with the presence of social media, and that they may ask questions. It’s wise to have brief answers prepared, as well as responses to possible follow-up questions. Where do people go after they die of suicide? The answer to this question will depend on your personal beliefs. Some people believe that when you die, you go to heaven; some believe in reincarnation; some say the spirit lives on; some believe that death is the end. Answering according to your beliefs may help your child find their own meaning. Dealing with Reminders of the Loss What should I do with the room and possessions of the person who died? How do I handle things like clothes and other physical reminders? Grieving is not necessarily about letting go, but rather about figuring out how to live life without the physical presence of the person who died. What belongings or reminders of the person you choose to hold onto or get rid of, and the timeframe in which you make those decisions, is up to you. If people in your family have differing ideas about what to keep or discard, work together to find a compromise. For instance, photos can be in one particular room that you and your children may choose to go into or not, rather than out in the kitchen or living room. What if my child wants to avoid the location of the death or reminders of the person who died? Some people want to avoid places, activities, or objects closely connected to the person who died (e.g., your teen may avoid driving