Death – The final taboo

Death Is a Natural Part of the Cycle of Life

Yet for most people, it is still a taboo topic of conversation to avoid. In many ways, we are a death-denying society.

Some of the reasons people don’t talk about death include:

• Talking about death reminds us of our own mortality.
• Modern-day death is often institutionalised, occurring in hospitals or care homes—making it easier to avoid thinking about.
• We don’t want to upset anyone, especially those recently affected by a loss.

Yet death is one of life’s few certainties. Avoiding the topic isn’t helpful—if anything, it can prevent emotional growth and preparedness. Expressing emotion around death is no different than expressing emotion around other life events—it should be welcomed, not avoided.

When it comes to one particular group—children—the challenge of talking about death becomes even more sensitive. How do we teach children about death in a healthy, constructive way? It’s not just what they know, but how they come to know it that shapes their response to grief and loss.

In 2024, the charity Marie Curie, which supports better end-of-life care, commissioned a major survey on attitudes to death and bereavement in the UK. Part of this focused on whether grief and bereavement should be included in the school curriculum.

While the National Curriculum in England doesn’t currently require formal teaching about death and grief, these topics are often included in PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and RE (Religious Education). Schools are also expected to support pupils through bereavement as part of pastoral care.

But could—and should—more be done? The majority of Marie Curie survey respondents supported the inclusion of grief education, particularly in secondary schools.

Let’s take a look at the potential benefits of grief education becoming a part of the UK school curriculum.

The Benefits of Grief Education

There are many potential benefits to including grief education in schools. These include:

Children Understand That Death Happens

Death is not something that can be hidden from children. News coverage often includes war, terrorism, accidents, or even pandemics. Death is present whether we like it or not. Children deserve to learn about it in a safe, supportive environment—not through fear or confusion.

Children Are Better Prepared to Cope With Loss

Sadly, many children will be directly affected by death. According to Child Bereavement UK, 127 children in the UK lose a parent every day. By age 16, most children will have experienced some kind of bereavement—whether a relative, friend, or pet.

Without preparation, children may feel disoriented, scared, or isolated. Grief education can equip them with the tools and emotional vocabulary they need to process loss.

It Strengthens Mental Well-Being and Emotional Literacy

Often, it’s adults—not children—who are uncomfortable discussing death. Children naturally ask questions, but often have nowhere safe to take them. Our societal tendency to avoid the topic isolates children from one of life’s universal truths.

Grief education encourages open discussion, supports emotional resilience, and builds life-long emotional intelligence.

It Can Be Life-Affirming

Death doesn’t have to be a morbid topic. In fact, understanding death can lead to greater appreciation of life. Teaching children about death can inspire them to value relationships, embrace opportunity, and find meaning in the everyday.

Other cultures embrace this idea more openly. For example, Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration that honours the dead through remembrance and joy, turning mourning into connection.

Teachers Are Better Equipped to Support Bereaved Children

In 2019, Child Bereavement UK reported that 90% of teachers lacked the training to support grieving pupils—despite most recognising the need for it. The Marie Curie research found that over half of children had experienced a close bereavement, and most families needed help from teachers during that time.

With proper training and resources, teachers can provide a safe space for bereaved pupils and foster a culture of compassion and understanding in their classrooms.

Breaking the Final Taboo

Death may be the final taboo in UK society, but growing public support for grief education in schools suggests that change is possible—and necessary.

If you’re looking for guidance on how to approach this subject with your own children, read our helpful guide: How to talk to children about death.