Death is a terrible loss, whether it’s a family member, a friend or even a family pet. Death is so final. It’s hard to deal with the idea that you will never see this person again.

When you lose someone, it’s important to reach out to other people in your life, especially other people who knew and loved the person who has died. Because people grieve differently, you might hear, “I don’t want to talk about it.” But, it really helps to talk about the person you’ve lost. Remember the special times you shared, the great things about the person. You should also talk about how you feel about losing the person. Ignoring your loss will not make it go away. Remembering the person fondly can help you deal with your grief.

Another good idea is to talk to a counselor or therapist. There are also special support groups, called bereavement groups, for people who have lost someone close to them. Some hospitals or clinics have special groups for teens, and even some schools. To find a counselor you can talk to your school counselor or find one on this Web site.