The family dog has died, do I tell my child during exam week?

My mother called me today to tell me that their dog died suddenly. There was no illness, so nobody expected this. The dog was only seven years old. We spent mother’s day all together and he seemed fine.

My daughter, has three major exams this week that she has been preparing all school year to take, and they cannot be rescheduled as they are national exams. Should I wait until the exams are over to tell her about the death?

Extra facts, she’s almost 18, the vet cannot hold the dog, and he needs to be sent for cremation tomorrow. They did promise to take a picture of him for us to show her?

I am in too much pain and shock to think straight. What do you think, wait until tests are over on Friday to tell her the sad news?

Many thanks for your help at this sad time!