Circle of light education model: Death education for children in end of life care

Fang Fu, Keyuan Jiao and Chenhui Luo

Children and Youth Services Review, 2026, vol. 180, issue C

Abstract: This study delves into the Circle of Light educational framework, focusing on death education for children receiving end of life care. It highlights the importance of such education in fostering psychological and spiritual well-being and alleviating death-related anxieties. Utilizing purposive sampling, 16 medical social workers and interns were interviewed to examine existing practices and devise a pediatric death education model that aligns with children’s cognitive and emotional preparedness. Key insights emphasize the need to obtain parental consent, evaluate children’s comprehension of death, and tailor education to developmental stages. The study delineates three phases of children’s readiness for death education: the blank stage, the logical and irrational stage, and the cognitive maturity and acceptance stage. Challenges identified include fragmented implementation, inadequate parental and professional involvement, and the absence of standardized guidelines. The article proposes a structured approach to enhance practice, recommending comprehensive training for medical social workers and incorporating death education into clinical protocols. Additionally, it underscores the necessity of adapting death education to the cultural context, taking into account cultural nuances and linguistic intricacies.

Keywords: Death education; End of life care; Pediatric patients; Cultural sensitivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:180:y:2026:i:c:s0190740925005614

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108678

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