This information sheet summarizes material found in the "In-Depth General Information Guide to Childhood Traumatic Grief" and "In-Depth Information on Childhood Traumatic Grief for School Personnel." Childhood traumatic grief is a condition that some children develop after the death of a close friend or family member. Children who develop childhood traumatic grief reactions experience the cause of that death as horrifying or terrifying, whether the death was unexpected or due to natural causes. For some children and adolescents, responses to traumatic events can have a profound effect on the way they see themselves and their world. It's important to keep in mind that many children who encounter a shocking or horrific death of another person will recover naturally and not develop ongoing difficulties, while other children may experience such difficulties. Every child is different in his or her reactions to a traumatic loss.