Hi Primal, im sorry to hear about the bad news man, and im also happy you have a new son.
My own personal expirance of when i was 6 years old, my close grandfather died. He used to take care of me on weekends so that my parents had time with each other. I knew he had gone into the hospital but i hadn't known why. But when he passed away my father sat me down and told me. At the same time he asked me if i wanted to help carry the casket to the grave. At 6 he had to explain to me what that was because i didnt know. I accepted it because i knew he would be on the other side helping as well. To tell you the truth there was so much going on and nervous that so many people were watching me i didnt have the time to be upset that he had died. I missed him alot. I still do.
There was points in my childhood where i need strength and courage to do things and i had looked back many times at that day and said to myself that if i was able to that at 6, i can make it through whats bothering me. I am proud of the fact that i carried his casket and i am very happy my family allowed me to do it. Even though my father passed away 4 years ago i am very proud of him for always telling me the truth about what was going on in the family. While my father was alive i found that trust to be very reasuring to me. To know that no matter what was going on i could always talk to him. I dont belive my grandfathers passing had any adverse affect on my childhood.
the way i see it is, either way he will be upset that she is gone, either hes upset now or a few years from now. so him being sad is not the issue because its gonna happen no matter what. the question is will he be able to trust once he finds out he had been lied to. pain and sorrow is a part of life. no matter how happy we want our loved ones lives to be, sometimes we cant protect them from everything.
not sure if that story or my thoughts will help you in any way primal. i hope it does though.
best wishes