When a loved one passes away, it can be hard for young children to deal with the loss—not just because they were close to the relative, but because they may not have dealt with loss before. As a parent, you may wonder if bringing your little one to the funeral service would bring them some closure or peace of mind. On the other hand, you may question if it’s appropriate at such a young age. If you’re struggling with this decision, use the following list to guide your choice.

3 Ways to Decide if Your Child Should Attend a Funeral

1. Gauge Their Age

Before a certain age, children aren’t capable of forming long-term memories, or even interpreting the meaning of death. For example, while you could bring an infant to a funeral, it’s unlikely they would understand what was going on. In some cases, they could become fussy and distract other mourners. If your child is around seven or older, they will be capable of comprehending and remembering the situation, as well as gaining some comfort from the funeral service. 

2. Find Out if They’re Interested

If your child has made a clear attempt to find out what you’ve been planning or what happened to their lost loved one, explain the situation and the service to come. However, even if your child is interested in attending the funeral, it’s crucial to let them know what to expect. If there will be an open-casket viewing, let your child know what they will see, and ask if they feel comfortable with that. If your child is very young, you might not feel comfortable explaining how their relative was cremated, or that they will be buried underground. In that case, it’s better to wait until you know your child can handle the information.

3. Consider Their Relationship to the Decedent

If your child and the deceased were very close, they will naturally be curious about where their loved one has gone, and they may want to say goodbye to them at the funeral service. If your child lost an immediate family member or an alternate caregiver, you might want to let them attend even if they’re too young to understand the proceedings. Later in life, they will be comforted by the fact that they were in attendance and allowed to say a final goodbye. If your child wasn’t very close with the deceased and are under the age of 10, you might not want to involve them in this aspect of the grieving process.

For families in Greenwich, CT, Fred D. Knapp & Son Funeral Home works hard to provide dignified funeral services. In fact, they have been providing grief support, funeral planning, and cremation services since 1846. If you need more advice on attending a service, call them today at (203) 869-0315 to ask a question. You can also delve into their full range of services on the website.