Important Messages To Relay To Your Child When Attending A Funeral For The First Time

31 March 2016

Jaime Allen

Children who are preparing to attend a funeral for the first time will be going through a wide range of feelings, including grief, uncertainty and stress. As a parent, it's ideal if you're able to talk about the funeral process with your child so that he or she can feel as comfortable as possible upon entering the doors of the funeral home. The reality is that this isn't a pleasant time, but it's an opportunity to support the surviving family members of someone who has died, so it's important that your child is able to attend and show support. Here are some important messages to relay to your child before you attend.

It's OK To Cry

Some children have trouble showing their emotions, but you want to make sure that your child doesn't feel that he or she has to repress a few tears or even some steady sobbing. The grieving process is different for everyone -- some funeral attendees will likely be outwardly crying, while others will show no emotional at all. Remind your child that it's all right to cry if that's what feels natural and tell him or her that you'll be nearby for support as it's needed.

You Don't Have To View The Body

Some people feel that seeing the body during a visitation provides closure; others prefer not to go through this process. It's important for your child to do what feels right for him or her. Even if a large crowd of mourners is lined up to view the body -- and even if you plan to do so, too -- your child needs to know that doing so is a matter of personal preference and certainly not obligatory.

You Don't Need To Talk Too Much

Whether your child is greeting the family at the visitation or speaking to one family member after the funeral, the child needs to know that some simple expressions of sympathy are all that are needed. Some funeral attendees put pressure on themselves to deliver the perfect message of sympathy; a child who feels that this is necessary might experience extreme and unnecessary pressure and stress. You can even practice how to exchange funeral greetings on the way to the funeral home. The core message for your child to get across is that he or she is sorry for the family's loss and is sending best wishes to each member of the family. Contact a business, such as O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral & Cremation Services, for more tips on enduring a funeral with a child.   

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