Helping Your Child Deal with Death

When a loved one dies, it may be difficult for children to grasp exactly what’s happened. Children grieve in different ways depending on how old they are and how close they were to the person who’s passed away. Parents need to be attuned to how their child is grieving and help them with the process, from breaking the news to preparing for the funeral service and beyond. Let’s take a look at how parents can be supportive of their children during this difficult time.

Don’t talk around the issue

Death makes us all uncomfortable—and it’s even less comfortable talking to your children about it. Your natural instinct is to protect them from all the hurt and pain in the world. But if you sugarcoat things too much or dance around the issue, you risk confusing your child. Use simple and direct language. It’s okay to say that “Grandma has died.”

Open it up for questions

Provide plenty of time for your child to process this information and discuss it with you. They may simply break down and cry, in which case you should comfort them. They may not react at all, as the idea that things have permanently changed may be difficult to wrap their minds around. Validate whatever their reaction is and don’t be afraid to talk about your own feelings, whether you’re sad or scared or shocked.

Set expectations

The reality is that death can be confusing, especially for young children. Be sure to tell them that the next time they go to Grandma’s house, she won’t be there. Discuss with them what the funeral service or other ceremony will involve. Talk about who will be there, what the service will be like and what kind of conversations to expect.

You may also want to give your child a small, active role in the funeral or memorial service. They could read a poem, put together photos to display or sing a song. If your child wants to celebrate or honor the deceased’s memory, you can look for a way to do so.

Provide comfort and reassurance

It may be weeks or even months before your child begins to show their grief, and it can happen in different ways. They may suddenly become moody, have difficulty sleeping or ignore social relationships. It’s during this time that it’s important for you to provide an ear if they need to talk, or to just provide space for them to grieve. In some cases, support groups or counseling can be important elements for kids who need additional support.

We hope this guide makes it a little easier to help your child deal with and understand loss. ICS Cremation & Funeral Home is a leader for cremation and funeral services in the area. We’re dedicated to providing you with high-quality services at an affordable price.

Our knowledgeable staff can help prearrange cremations and funerals. Our services include full funerals, urns, keepsake urns, cremations, cremation jewelry, obituaries and more. Contact us to learn more about how our family can take care of yours during your time of need.

Categorised in: Grief

This post was written by Writer