Explaining death to a 2.5 year old?

[MrsGogginsShawl]

My DD has watched The Princess and The Frog today and whilst Ray was dying and then when they had the funeral she was asking what was happening and asking where he had gone.

Its not the first time she has asked about death, when it has come up in stories before, but I'm never sure what to say.

How should I answer? If I said 'Ray was poorly and he died' she would ask more questions. We don't believe in god/heaven so can't use the 'he has died and gone to heaven' line so what should I say.

Or is she too young and I should just continue to dodge the question?

[diggingintheribs]

I think it's a bit young as it's not really necessary (obviously if someone close to her dies you need to deal with it). At that age they will put themselves in the situation and she will get scared and won't necessarily understand the difference between poorly - i have a cold and poorly - i'm going to die

so i would dodge! and i wouldn't let her watch films with death scenes!!!

we told DS (3 at the time) that when people get really old their bodies stop working. Sometimes younger people can get seriously ill and their bodies stop working. The person can't talk to you but they are still there in your heart and they live on through the people who loved them remembering them. this was in the context of my gran and I told him a memory of her

[FGM]

Hi, I've had to answer lots of questions from my LO's because my parents are both dead and my LOs want to know where they are etc ...

Just say simply (if your DD asks) that Ray died because he was very, very, very, very, very,... very ill. That makes a distinction between Mummy feeling ill because she has a cold etc.

I'd keep it as simple as possible and hopefully she'll be happy with a simple answer.