How to Help a Child Deal with Death

April 2, 2020 11:24 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Helping a child who might not yet be able to comprehend and process all of the emotions they are feeling deal with death in Lake City, FL is not easy, as finding healthy ways to cope with the loss of a loved one can be difficult for most adults. Each child is different, and your child’s age and how close they were to the deceased will ultimately have the largest influence on how they react. What is most important is that you are always ready to be there for your child with unending support, no matter what type of response they have. Here are some recommendations to keep in mind:

  • Direct communication: It is important that you be honest and direct with your child, while communicating with them in a caring and sensitive way. Let them know that you are there to offer support in any way they need, not just on the day that you give them the difficult news, but in the days, weeks and months ahead as well. Because many children rely heavily on the presence of routine and structure in their lives, thoroughly explaining to them any changes that will occur, along with the proposed solutions, will help prevent them from unnecessarily taking on any additional worries during an already difficult time.
  • Be a good listener: When delivering difficult news to your children, it is just as important that you listen to them in return. Some children will cry, while others may not seem to react at all, but whenever they are ready to express themselves, be sure that you are available to listen. It can also be helpful to let your child know about some of the feelings that you are working through yourself. By witnessing the emotions you are experiencing, your child will likely become more aware of their own feelings, which may encourage them to open up when they realize they are not alone.
  • Keep them involved: If your child is having a strong emotional reaction to the loss, your natural inclination as a parent will be to protect them from further pain, and you may consider keeping them away from the memorial services. However, giving your children a chance to pay their final respects is an important step in the grieving process. You may even want to give your child an active role in the service if they are feeling up to it, whether that is reading a poem or simply helping to gather photos for an album or display.

Having tough conversations about the loss of a loved one to help your child deal with death in Lake City, FL will certainly be an emotional struggle, but it is important that they are not left in the dark during a time that can be just as difficult for them to deal with as it is for you.

When the time comes to make the final arrangements for your loved one, be sure to give ICS Cremation & Funeral Home a call. For the past 20 years, we have helped families take the first steps in the grieving process by properly laying their loved ones to rest, handling all of the funeral or cremation planning with the care and sensitivity that is needed during such a difficult time. We are here to provide all of the support and assistance you need—please don’t hesitate to give us a call when you’re ready to get started.

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