Preparing a Child for a Funeral
The loss of a loved one affects your entire family. This includes children, so it is crucial that you consider this when making arrangements for funerary services. Children can get the same amount of closure and help healing from attending a funeral or memorial service that an adult can, so do take the time to consider bringing them to the service. If this is something that you want to do, funeral homes in Albany, NY can offer some tips on helping you getting them ready for the services.
It is always important to speak with your child about the death of your loved one. Lots of people try to avoid this conversation, but a child needs to know the truth about what happened to the person they love. You do not want to use euphemisms, no matter how comforting you think this can be. This is because it can confuse the child from the truth and can make the healing process much more difficult.
You need to allow your child to express themselves and to ask any questions that they may have about death. A child is bound to have questions, so it can make a huge difference to be ready with some answers. There are a lot of online resources that you can turn to for information and to make this process a bit easier.
You also want to make certain that your child wants to attend the service. It is no good to force a child to go to a funeral or memorial, since they will not be able to get the closure they need and they may actually feel worse because you are making them go. By asking them if that is something that they want to do, you are giving them the opportunity to express themselves. If they say that they do not want to attend the service, do not push the issue.
If the child does want to go to the service, however, you can ask the provider of the funerary services to schedule a visit with your child. These are experts, and can ensure that your child gets the information they need. This visit to the funeral home can also allow the child to feel more comfortable with the location, which can be of great help.
These are all important things that you want to remember when preparing your child for a funeral service. By allowing them to ask lots of questions and by offering the kind of guidance that they need to start healing from the loss, you will be doing your best to help them through the mourning process. Be honest and let them know that you will not force them to attend the service if that is not something they want to do. To learn more about this, contact an Albany, NY funeral home like us at McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc. We are here to make this process just a bit easier for everyone in your family. Visit us at 208 N Allen St Albany, NY 12206 or call us at (518) 489-0188.
