How much should a child he involved in the death of a sibling? In a review of the literature, Helen McGowan found that children are demanding a greater honesty and openness and the opportunity to grieve as they know best

One of the major changes in society in recent years has been the ability to postpone almost indefinitely the end of life. Children in the 18th and 19th centuries were included in many aspects of living and dying. Siblings and relatives were born at home and died at home and death was very much part of a child’s experience (1). Today’s children are curious about all aspects of life and death (2) and their fantasies and imagination are highly developed (3). To ignore this may leave them with distorted views and with fears that threaten their basic sense of security (2).