Sudden Death of a Classmate and Friend

Abstract

Following the accidental death of an 8th grade student, 26 classmates answered questionnairies after one and nine months. In addition, a qualitative interview was carried out with half the class and six close friends after one month. There was a strong positive endorsement of the school's response following the death. The students valued the opportunity to talk and take part in ritual activities. However, close friends from outside the dead boy's class went largely unnoticed, and assistance based on a better understanding of the grief hierarchy and identification of those who continued to react are recommended in order to counteract long-term problems.

Managing Bereavement in the Classroom: A Conspiracy of Silence?

“…Recent empirical work demonstrates bereaved children's need to talk. For example, Dyregrov, Bie Wikander, & Vigerust (1999) found that children themselves reported a good response by teachers to one pupil's death, although one child stated, 'we should have talked a little more about him [pupil]'. In the present study we found that students reported mature responses and impeccable behaviour following a bereavement indicate a high level of empathy amongst young children; a similar level of sensitivity and empathy towards those who are bereaved has also been found in American children (Balk, 1989).…”