More than 2 million children and adolescents experience the death of a close relative each year. Additionally, a substantial number of adolescents experience the death of a friend. This study investigated various factors that may be associated with exposure to the death of a family member or friend, including gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, and mental health and substance use problems, in a nationally representative sample of 4,023 adolescents. Results indicated that adolescent girls, adolescents with lower household incomes, and African American adolescents were at increased risk of death of a family member within the past year. Death of a family member was not related to the report of mental health or substance use problems. Results also indicated that girls, older adolescents, adolescents with lower household incomes, and those of minority race/ethnicity (with the exception of Asian/Pacific Islanders) were at increased risk of death of a friend within the past year. Death of a friend was related to depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse/dependence. However, after controlling for demographics and victimization history, substance abuse/dependence was the only outcome variable that maintained a statistical association with death of a friend within the past year.