Death is a difficult topic, especially for young children, but sometimes they face its harsh reality unexpectedly. This was the case for 5-year-old Khayne Kheian Naelgas Castro from the Philippines, who lost his mother during the birth of his younger brother, Cyril Khayzer Castro. Khayne didn’t fully understand what death meant and believed his mother was just asleep. Heartbreakingly, he was seen falling asleep while hugging her coffin.

Khayne’s mother passed away from complications during childbirth, leaving the family devastated. The boy spent time by his mother’s coffin, waiting for her to wake up, occasionally laying his head on it, still hoping she would return. His grandmother, unable to explain death to him, shared the emotional scene on Facebook. She wrote about Khayne asking, “Why can’t mommy sleep with me anymore?” and described his innocent attempts to hug his mother.

Photos of Khayne, including one where he created a makeshift bed beside the coffin, touched many people online. Sympathy poured in, with encouraging messages and offers of financial help for the grieving family. The grandmother expressed gratitude, asking for prayers for baby Cyril’s health.

This story highlights the importance of supporting grieving families, especially young children who struggle to understand loss.