Children and Services

Losing a loved one will affect everyone in your family, and this includes children. If you see that your child is struggling with the loss, you may be wondering if they can attend the funeral or memorial service to be able to get the closure they need. This is not always an easy decision. To help you, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in DeWitt, NY want you to keep in mind.

You need to consider how close the child was to the person who died. If they were close, then it can be healing for the child to go to the service. Your child may even insist that they attend, and that can be a good indication that they are ready for it. For people who they did not know very well, they may not get as much of the benefits of attending, and it can actually be more stressful for them. Do consider this before deciding.

You want to gauge their understanding of death. Have a conversation with them and let them know what has happened in simple and honest terms. If you see that they understand, then it can be a good idea to offer for them to go to the service. If a child does not really understand what has happened, then going to the service may not be beneficial. It may actually cause confusion and uncertainty, which is not what you want your child to feel after a loss.

You also want to ask the child whether or not they want to go. Some children will let you know from the start that they do not want to attend, while others will not be sure. Do not force them to go or not to go. You want your child to decide for themselves so that they can get the benefits that they need. If your child does want to attend the service, be sure to ask them again on the day of the service itself. Lots of times, children change their minds but are afraid of telling their parents. You can help them by asking one more time.

All of these tips can make it easier for you to decide on whether or not your child can benefit from going to a funeral service. Attending can definitely offer the kind of closure your child needs, but if they are too young, they may not be able to understand what the service means. Be sure to ask them and to give them the option of going or not. You never want to push a child into this. If you want to know more about attending a service, you want to consider reaching out to a DeWitt, NY funeral home like us. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have. Stop by our location right now or visit us today to learn more about our services or to speak with one of our experts about the best options.