Hamster has died - ideas for DD please.

[glitterfarts]

Hi,
DD2 (8) has a pet hamster who has died. She is going to be distraught.
Does anyone have ideas to help her?
So far, we are thinking to take her to the nursery and choose a plant to bury him under, and she can say a little prayer for him (CE school but non-religious family).

WWYD?
Thanks in advance.

Weirdly, this Ian incredibly valuable and useful life experience. I think your idea is good. Let your DD be sad, honour the passing of your pet, keep it factual but age appropriate.
8 is a good age to start understanding death, but don't be surprised if she starts asking about family members dying etc.
I've got a brilliant book in the house somewhere that was given to my DD when her Granny was dying. It's told as a little story between a child and a pet dog who knows it's time is up and tries to explain this to her. It's sweet and funny and quite touching. ( I cry if I read it). If I can find it I'll post the title.

My DS has a book called "The Heart and the Bottle" which is about a little girl whose father has died. It's a gentle way to introduce children to the idea of death. He also has a book called "Cry, Heart, But Never Break" which is about children whose granny has died.

Thankyou - that sounds like a great book. Weirdly, I am happy her first experience of death is a pet, not a person, but that isn't going to make it easier for her.

All of those things sound good, she might want a little box to bury him in. And maybe take her to buy another one?

Thanks - I think in a box is a good idea: I don't want him being dug up!
We won't be getting another right away though - I will wait a while.