Harpenden pupils’ conversations on death become a viral sensation

Pupils of The Grove Infant and Nursery School in Harpenden have become social media stars following a humorous film of them talking about death. (Image: Archant)

Children at Grove Infant and Nursery School in Harpenden, was viewed more than 20,000 times across social media with Harry Judd from McBusted and the national charity MacMillan showing their support.

The film was put together to support Keech Hospice Care’s Dying Matters Awareness Week, which aims to initiate conversations about dying and bereavement. Head teacher Anna Archer, said: “We’re delighted to support Keech Hospice Care with its film.

“Death can be a difficult subject for adults to talk about but children have such wonderful ideas about every aspect of life.

“Watching the film brings a range of emotions, and I hope others find it useful.”

The three minute film has been shared more than 500 times and shows children aged between four and five years old explaining what they think happens after death, with one answering ‘you sit on a star’.

Elaine Tolliday, interim clinical director at Keech Hospice Care, believes that ‘the innocence and honesty of the children is helping to throw open a conversation people often find difficult to have’.

She continued: “As far as we know, Keech Hospice Care is the first ever hospice to do something like this and I’m proud to see us leading the way.

“Without talking and understanding, death and terminal illness can be a lonely and stressful experience, both for the person who is dying and for their friends and family.

“By launching our unique film during Dying Matters Week, we hope everybody will follow the lead of our brilliant young students and be open about what they want to happen when they die.”

To view Keech Hospice’s film, click here.