Losing a loved one is difficult for anyone, but can be especially hard for a child who has less experience with loss. They will need help to process their grief so they can get through the funeral and the period of recovery afterward. Here are a few ways you can make this process easier on them.

How to Help a Grieving Child

1. Listen

Children need to be able to safely express their feelings. They may also have questions about what has happened and what comes next. Take time to listen attentively, not just once but frequently throughout the grieving process.

2. Talk About Your Feelings

Children may not have the vocabulary to express the new and complicated feelings which come with loss, or they may feel uncomfortable if they’re put on the spot when you ask what they’re feeling. You can ease these anxieties by talking about your own emotions in an honest, gentle way.

3. Accept Them

Children’s reactions to loss may not be picture-perfect. They may seem indifferent at a funeral or become angry and destructive. Grief is complicated, and most people, not just children, go through a number of different emotions, not all of which are ones we think we “should” be feeling. Accept whatever your child is feeling as real, and don’t judge them based on these emotions.

4. Maintain a Routine

When everything is changing for a child, helping them regain a sense of normalcy and predictability in their life helps them feel safe. Make sure they are eating, sleeping, going to school, and doing other activities at predictable times each day.

5. Give the Child Choices

Something else that can help a child feel in control is to involve them in the funeral and decisions surrounding the loss. Ask them if they want to attend the memorial services and, if appropriate for their age, invite them to participate in some way.

For more resources on grief or help arranging a meaningful funeral service, get in touch with Bolton & Lunsford Funeral Homes in Cincinnati, OH. Serving Hamilton County for over 80 years, they will help you through this difficult time, providing compassionate and attentive services for you and your loved ones. To begin, call the funeral home at (513) 661-4059 or contact them online.