How do I tell 2.5 y.o. about a death?

[artgirl]

My MIL watches my dd 2 days a week. Her and my GMIL have been taking care of GFIL in their house for about a year. Bedridden, demented, etc. He mostly laid in his room and watched t.v. or slept, although my dd was aware of him and sometimes would be in the room when GMIL fed him. He passed away early this morning. If dd asks, how should I tell her what happened or explain where his is? MIL suggested saying that he "went to play with some angels"??

This is a paricularly sensitive time for dd. She's been stressed when I leave for work lately and worrying about monsters. I absolutely don't want to even hint to her right now that people go away and never come back. Help?

[TiredX2]

Your answer needs to be entirely dependent on what you believe about death, dying & the afterlife.

Do you believe GFIL is in heaven?
Watching over you?
Somewhere peaceful with no pain?
Somewhere beautiful?
Getting a new, healthy body?

I would not lie, but the truth is VISUALLY, that person is gone and is never coming back.

[artgirl]

I personally believe that his soul has gone to join the collective soul that is God, higher power, whatever you want to call it. I believe that he (grandpa) is peaceful, joyful, surrounded by love... but I also think that these concepts are WAY too abstract for a 2.5 year old. More than anything I don't want to worry her. I'd like to be able to tell her something simple, true, and *un-scary* without going into too much detail.

[TiredX2]

I don't think that sounds scary, and the advantage is... it's the truth.

What could you make up that sounds better?

Good luck