Miss Kathy, if a celebration of any kind happens when a parent dies the kids (and sometimes the mate) will run to the celebration and not even notice the death. He'll never notice the death other than through an email the game may have him send you. They're really not aware that they are alone. If you'll take note the parents still call the kid's to eat, brush their teeth, and for bedtime after they've all left. The only time they're aware of their aloneness is when they acknowledge the death event.