About ages 12-16 years

Adolescents and teenagers in this age group have a more adult understanding of death. This, however, is complicated by the fact that they are beginning to establish their own identity apart from the family. If a death occurs in the family during this period the teenager will usually be torn between clinging to their family or to their friends. They will often use friends as their first choice for support. Teenagers need to fit within their peer group and have difficulty with anything that makes them different, such as the death of a parent.