Please help my kidsthey lost their beloved pet last night

Their pet hamster, Checkers, passed away last night. We had a funeral for her and buried her but my 6 year-old still cried so much she made herself sick. What can I do to make my three kids feel better about losing their pet? They loved Checkers very much and took such great care of her. They played with her daily, fed her treats from their hands and put her in her exercise ball daily. They were so sad this morning when I left for work. Please help!!

grieving is a natural way to deal with such things. Repressing it is unhealthy. You could hold them and let them cry while you explain that the hamster had such a wonderful life, and that they helped to give that hamster the best life a hamster could ever have. Sometimes if kids talk about the good happy times with the pet, that helps them out. Something as simple as "Do you remember the time that the hamster... (insert some antedote that they are sure to remember, and which was very happy)" and it can bring a smile.

If you are religious... then you could explain to them that the hamster has moved to hamster heaven (if your religion believes that animals have a place in heaven).

If not, then explain how the hamster will become part of the grass, which will then become part of some mother rabbit, which will then become part of baby bunnies, and that the hamster will continue on forever in the cycle of life.

I'm a mother of three, on a farm, and we've dealt with the death issue several times. It never gets easier. But, it can be healed.