How To Talk To Your Kids About Death - 4 Movies That Can Help

Talking about death with children can be difficult. Many parents will avoid this task, and assume that their child’s silence means that they don’t have any questions about the topic. However, being closed off to these difficult topics can make your child feel like they don’t have a safe space to ask questions, so they will internalize their intrigue.

Children are often very curious about death and keen to explore their feelings. It’s often the adults who find it difficult to talk about and worry that the topic will be too much for them to handle. In reality, there is no good time for children to learn about death and grief. 

It’s far better that they are familiar with the concept before something tragic happens in their life, as this will mean they are better equipped to handle their feelings.

If you are keen to talk to your children about death, you don’t have to launch into a conversation out of the blue. Thankfully, there are films about death that will help to spark these conversations naturally. 

They will also help to explain some concepts in ways that even young children can understand. Try these four movies about death if you would like to explore the topic in further detail.

Bambi

A certified tear-jerker from the start, this film will pave the way for talking about death and what this means. The classic animated Disney tale follows the story of a young deer whose mother is shot by a hunter and is left alone in the world. Thankfully, a host of woodland creatures step in to help raise Bambi. 

A Monster Calls

The only live-action choice on the list, this movie follows the story of a young boy whose mother is suffering from terminal cancer. He is haunted by nightmares and visits from a monster who comes to him every night to tell stories.

This would be best suited to older children due to the scarier themes and monsters, but it could be the ideal way to open up a conversation about terminal illness and the death of a loved one. 

Up

Parents might struggle to get through the start of this Pixar film without shedding a tear. It begins with the entire life story of a couple, Carl and Ellie, who met as children. As they get older, they struggle to have children, and they accept this before settling into their plans to grow old together.

Sadly, Ellie passes away, leaving Carl as a grumpy old man trying to forget his love. It would be an interesting film to discuss the death of a parent, a grandparent, or even the loss of a pregnancy. Young children may have questions about where their expected little brother or sister went, but they might be too afraid to ask.

Coco

This bright and color Pixar film follows the story of a young Mexican boy called Miguel who travels to the land of the dead to discover his ancestors. It is an upbeat and musical romp that will get your toes tapping while also raising some interesting questions about what happens after we pass away. 

Miguel is around 12 years old, so it would be suited to children of a similar age. It could also help children who are struggling with the loss of their beloved grandparents. It can help them to understand the concept of keeping the memory of a loved one alive. 

You know your child best, so you will know if they are too sensitive to certain themes. What is important is that they understand death, but that they don’t develop an irrational fear of it. If they do develop this phobia, it could be that they have some unresolved questions and they need to explore these fears further.

For Netflix movie ideas click here.