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.