What are some practical ways to help children cope with death that have worked for you?

Honest and simple: Children actually deal with things like death in a fairly straightforward way. Best way is to be simple, honest, and understanding. Answer questions, don't give gory details, and be prepared for the same question in several different ways. Rituals help, like allowing them to go to the funeral (not open casket or graveside). And especially allowing them to express their emotions.

Remember good stuff: What helps many cope with a death is to focus on all the good that the person brought to theirs and others lives, it gives a sense of the fact that their life touched other people on a good way, and that it was a life well lived, even if it wasn’t a long life.

Vary with age/dvp: It is important to approach this based on the developmental age of the kid. In the <6-7 yo simple & brief is fine but expect questions episodically for years. The 8-13 can handle a longer discussion but focus on listening. The 12-16 can often begin to experience the depth of the issue while >17 they function as adults. At all ages being there to listen is the best aid they can have.