Explaining death to young children?

[Spainintherain]

I have a five year old and three year old and need to tell them that people die, ahead of a bereavement we are expecting. I am not sure how to go about it without upsetting them, especially if my eldest asks lots of questions. Has anyone got any advice about how to broach it? Thank you.

I think it helps to be factual and clear in an age appropriate way.
Children can be very matter of fact about death and don't always deal with it like you expect.

My lovely Nan died 8 years ago today when my eldest was 3. It wasn't unexpected and we had explained to her what happened. She obviously then got a bit mixed up with the nativity because a few days later she asked me if Nan had gone to heaven on a donkey.

There's a book called Badger's Parting Gifts that can help a child of around 4-5 understand that our bodies wear out and we die leaving behind people who feel sad about it. It was a great help for my daughter when my dad died.