Is one worse off experiencing the death of a loved one during childhood or adulthood?

I find that children often get overlooked during times of death, under the assumption that ‘they don't really know what's going on’. Adults can understand and process things more efficiently, so it can be assumed that the grief of an adult is more ‘real’.

My own experiences suggest otherwise. I had my first close encounter with death at a very young age, and continued losing close people throughout childhood. The initial impact was greater for my older siblings, and of course my mother, who had lost her husband. But the lasting impact was far greater on me.

What are your thoughts and experiences on the matter?