Telling kids their Grandma died?

[Tempest88]

My kids Grandma died... their dads mom lol.

I don't give a $#%^ myself, but how should I tell them? My first instinct is to just say "Your Grandma died" that's easy, but I guess the real issue is... my lack of sensitivity, they'll probably cry and whatnot... and to that, I'll want to tell them to stop being such cry babies... which I can understand is not the most healthy thing to say to them.

I need to mentally prepare for their responses and mentally prepare my reactions to those responses, so I don't ###$ them up about death. They've never had anyone drop dead before.

When they cry and start asking questions, what's the quickest thing to say or do... to get them to stop? I don't want to drag it out, or have a big discussion about it.

[Greatexpectations]

You could explain that Grandma was not very well and that she was old, and when people get old they die and go to heaven, that's it perfectly natural and she will be happy there.
Death can worry children so they might be a little insecure and want to ask questions, so try to be patient.

If they were close to her they might be upset and cry, give them a hug and some quality time with you.

[Tempest88]

I don't believe in heaven, so it's not a viable option.

It looks like suicide at this point, waiting on the autopsy results lol I probably won't tell them that part though. Just stick with the she's old thing.

give them a hug and some quality time with you.

Sounds time consuming.

I'll practice in the mirror for a couple of says before I tell them. If I say something wrong, they're going to cry more...

[Greatexpectations]

A friend of mine had the same situation, her children's granddad (my partner BPD) committed suicide. She had to tell her kids why granddad would not be visiting again.
She told them he'd was old and had been ill and had died. They were very upset they were fond of him, he'd loved them.
Her eldest 8 years old, kept asking "Mummy how old are you? How old is daddy? and could not sleep.
She had to explain that granddad was alot older and that mummy & daddy were young and going no where.
The younger one said "mummy, does that mean granddad won't get me a birthday present?"

Your children's greatest fear will be that you will leave them, they might need reassurance that you ain't going nowhere and that you love them.

[Tempest88]

I blurted it out on our way out the door last night. My youngest cried and the oldest didn't care, she asked if she could miss school today because of it lol

My youngest mainly questioned age... how was was she, how old is Grandpa, how old am I etc... trying to figure out if you just magically drop dead at a certain age lol! I just told her that she had health problems and her body was weak, even for her age. She accepted that answer and has been fine.