Losing a loved one is never easy, but it can be especially difficult for children. They may have never dealt with death before or not even understand what it means. If someone close to your family has passed, you may wonder how to support your little one. There are some steps you can take to help them grasp the situation and prepare for the funeral. Here are some tips that may help you navigate this difficult topic with your child.

How Children Tend to Grieve

Children younger than six years old may not grasp the permanence of death. In this case, you may have to explain the concept or consider avoiding it if the person wasn’t close to the family. 

School-age children, who usually understand death, may experience a wide range of emotions, including anger, guilt, sadness, and concern about other deaths in the family. They may not grieve like adults. This means they might cry in one moment, then play as usual to cope with their overwhelming emotions. They might struggle to talk about their feelings, which could manifest as changes in behavior like social withdrawal or reduced academic performance. They might also be curious about details surrounding the death and the funeral.

How to Support Them

Take the time to answer all your child’s questions as directly as possible to prevent confusion. Avoid vagueness and euphemisms like “they went to a better place” because it may give the painful impression that their loved one may return.

If the person was part of the family, the child may experience changes in routine that make adjusting to the death more difficult. Try to minimize these changes as much as possible or maintain consistency in the new routine so they can start to move on.

If your child is attending the funeral, they may witness situations that can scare or make them uncomfortable, such as adults crying or the casket. Preparing them by letting them know what to expect can keep them calm during the service.

Family-run for over 100 years, Adzima Funeral Home offers compassionate and attentive funeral arrangements to the community around Stratford, CT. They’re available 24/7 to support you and your family in all stages of this difficult process. They also help with obituary writing to help you honor your loved one. Find more grief resources on their website or call (203) 375-2200 to discuss your needs.