Heartbreaking moment – 5-year-old boy falls asleep hugging his mother’s coffin
Young Khayne Kheian Naelgas Castro from the Philippines lost his mother but did not fully understand the meaning of death
A 5-year-old boy in the Philippines, Khayne Kheian Naelgas Castro, touched hearts around the world after a heartbreaking photo showed him asleep beside his mother’s coffin. The young boy, who lost his mother during the birth of his younger brother, believed she was only sleeping and longed for her to wake up.
For young children, the concept of death can be difficult to understand. Many parents hesitate to discuss such topics, fearing it may cause confusion or distress. But sometimes, life forces children to face loss before they are ready—just like it did for Khayne.
According to Tribun Pekanbaru, Khayne’s mother passed away due to complications while giving birth to his younger brother, Cyril Khayzer Castro. The tragedy left the family grieving while also caring for a newborn.
However, Khayne could not comprehend the finality of death. He spent hours sitting quietly by his mother’s coffin, watching over her as if she might wake up at any moment. He would rest his head against the coffin, waiting for a response that would never come.
A grandmother’s pain
Khayne’s grandmother, Marichu Gabriel, shared the heartbreaking moment on Facebook. She recalled how the little boy kept asking, “Why can’t mommy sleep with me anymore?”—a question that no words could truly answer.
Unable to explain death to her grandson, she could only watch as he carried a small stool to the coffin, climbed up, and gazed at his mother’s face. Hoping to be close to her, he even pushed several chairs together, making a makeshift bed beside the coffin, as if he could meet her in his dreams.
Social media reacts with love and support
The images quickly went viral, touching thousands of people worldwide. Netizens flooded the grandmother’s post with messages of sympathy, prayers, and words of encouragement. Some even offered financial support to help the grieving family.
Marichu expressed her gratitude, saying, “May God bless everyone, and please continue to pray for Cyril, who was just born. We hope he can grow up steadily and healthily after coming into our lives.”
Helping children cope with loss
Khayne’s story is a painful reminder of how deeply children feel loss, even when they do not fully understand it. Experts say it’s important to support grieving children by allowing them to express their emotions and reassuring them that they are not alone.
Through the kindness of strangers, Khayne and his family are receiving the help they need to heal. While no words can replace his mother’s presence, the love and support from people around the world remind them that they are not facing this sorrow alone.
Our thoughts are with Khayne, Cyril, and their family 💙
