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Losing a close friend or family member can have a lasting impact on everyone in your household. When it’s time to attend the funeral, you might wonder whether it’s appropriate to let children come along to pay their respects. Every situation is different, which is why you should take the following considerations into account when deciding. 

What to Consider When Deciding to Take Children to Funerals 

Whether They Are Old Enough to Understand

It’s natural for children to be nervous about attending a funeral for the first time. If you are considering bringing along younger children to the service, make sure they understand what the gathering is meant to represent. If they don’t understand the loved one is not coming back, they might not be emotionally mature enough yet to attend the gathering. Young children must be able to stand or sit quietly while others speak, so make sure they have the attention span to do so.   

How They Are Related to the Deceased

Indianapolis-Indiana-funeralAttending a funeral service can provide a sense of closure. Putting funeral flowers on the casket, for example, can give a mourner a chance to say their final goodbyes, accept the loss, and begin to move on. Factor in your children’s connection to the deceased. If they’ve lost a grandparent they saw often, for example, it is appropriate to let them attend so they can acknowledge the loss and start to recover. In the case of casual acquaintances, consider leaving the kids at home. 

What Parts of the Service Are Appropriate for Kids

Reach out to the contact planning the service or the funeral director to find out what will happen during the gathering. For example, whether there will be an open casket should influence your decision. If you feel your children would be too shaken seeing the remains, consider skipping that part of the service. If the event will be a celebration of life, with people sharing stories, lighting candles, and singing songs, participating might lift your kids’ spirits. 

 

If you’ve lost a loved one in the Indianapolis, IN, area, contact the professionals at Shirley Brothers Mortuaries & Crematory. This family-run funeral home has been a fixture in the community for over a century. You can trust the kind, courteous staff to listen to your needs and create a touching tribute that expresses how much your loved one meant to you. To discuss planning a funeral, call (317) 897-9606. Reach out online for information about the different locations and become a Facebook follower for announcements. 

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