Tips For Involving Children In The Funeral Of A Parent
The loss of a parent is a pivotal turning point in the life of a child. Yet, no matter the magnitude of the loss, the ability for the child to participate in the funeral planning process is generally a good thing. This interaction will look different within every family, but if you have a child that wants to be included, it is important to allow this opportunity.
Always Ask
It is never helpful to assume; it is always best to ask before you move forward in any direction. Sit down with your child and ask him or her if they want to be involved in the process.
The age of the child will depict how this conversation will move forward, but if the child is old enough, they will be able to express themselves well enough to let you know if they want to be involved. If your child says yes, you should make room for them to do so, and they say no, you should not force it.
Let the Funeral Home Know
Funeral homes pride themselves on making the planning process as easy as possible, but there are certain steps that must be finalized before the process can be completed. For this reason, let the funeral home know the child wants to be involved and that they will be coming with you to discuss the plans.
If you let the funeral home know, they will be better prepared to help explain some of the decisions to your child and they can also preplan to help move the appointment along as quickly as possible so that the child does not have to spend an extended time at the funeral home.
Involvement Their Way
Be open to involvement in the child's way and understand that this participation may not be in the way that you expected. For example, if the child is younger, their decision to participate may include drawing an image that will be displayed during the ceremony or writing and reciting a poem they created for their parent.
For other children, their decision may be to help with planning the funeral but not actually attend the service. The best way to support the child is to let them decide the ways in which they want to participate in the process.
Follow these tips to learn the ideal way to incorporate your children into the funeral planning process.
For more information, contact a funeral home like Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home Inc.