Adolescents may express their grief through exaggerated behaviors to disguise their fear and sense of helplessness.

• They may joke with friends at the viewing to mask their real feelings.
• Experimentation with drugs or alcohol may be their way of coping with loss.
• They may show lethargy or extreme activity.
• They may seek solace from other teens rather than from parents or teachers.

To assist your adolescent through the grief process:

• Ask them if they would like to participate in the funeral preparation, but do not force them.  They might like to help in preparing or delivering the eulogy; receiving guests or being a pallbearer.
• Provide time to be alone with the adolescent without others present.
• Take them with you to the cemetery without other siblings or friends.
• Provide them resources / books on adolescents and grief.