A: Death is a terrible loss, whether it's a family member, a friend or even the family pet. Death is so final. It's hard to deal with the idea that you will never see this person again.

When you lose someone, you need to reach out to other people in your life, especially other people who knew and loved the person who has died. Sometimes, people make the mistake of saying "I don't want to talk about it." But, it really helps to talk about the person you've lost. Remember the special times you shared, the great things about the person. You should also talk about how you feel about losing the person.

Ignoring your loss will not make it go away. Remembering the person fondly can help you deal with your grief. In the end, our family and friends are about way more than their physical bodies. As long as we remember and talk about them, they stay with us and are never truly gone.

Another good idea is to talk to a counselor or therapist. There are also special support groups called "bereavement groups" for people who have lost someone close to them. Some hospitals or clinics have special groups for teens.

For more help, check out the dealing with death section on the message boards or read the story "The Mourning After."