Children and Death
It is not easy to speak with anyone about death, but it can be especially complicated with a child. Children do not have the same understanding that adults do about death, which can make everything much more difficult. If you have had a death in the family and you want to talk to your child about what this means, there are ways of doing so in a healthy manner. Here are some suggestions that funeral homes in Schenectady, NY recommend.
It is important to set aside a good amount of time to talk about death. This is not a conversation that you want to have in a hurry or on the way to somewhere else. Go to a quiet location and make certain that you will not be interrupted with phone calls or anything like that. You want to show your child that you are there to answer questions and to let them know all about what a death in the family means.
Your child is bound to have lots of questions. This is something that you should welcome and even encourage. It is vital that you try your best to answer these questions in the most honest way possible. If you do not know the answer, tell your child that so that you do not have to make up anything. This honesty and willingness to answer questions will put your child at ease.
Allow them to express what they are feeling. If they throw a tantrum or if they cry, this is normal. You want to give them time to process what you told them, just as you would with an adult, so be patient. If you are not sure whether a particular behavior is normal, you can always do a bit of research into this kind of grieving process.
For people who are really afraid of having this conversation or for those who prefer to have an expert helping them, it can also be a good idea to reach out to a professional. Funeral home directors are always ready to offer advice and to even help you have this conversation with your child. Visiting the funeral home for this kind of conversation can also allow the child to become acquainted with the place so that they are not so upset when they have to go to the funeral or memorial.
All of these tips can make it a bit simpler to have a conversation about a death in the family with a child. You want to offer lots of support and you will want to make certain that your loved one can ask any questions that they may have about the process. By contacting a funeral home director, you can also get someone on your side who has lots of experience. You can do this right now by reaching out to a Schenectady, NY funeral home like us at McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc. Our experts are here to help you at all times. Visit us at 208 N Allen St Albany, NY 12206 or call us at (518) 489-0188.
