Planning a funeral for a child is something that no parent ever wants to think about. Few parents are prepared to say goodbye to their child, and the prospect of attending to the details can be overwhelming as you grieve your loss. Working with the professionals at a funeral home can ease some of the burdens, as they have the experience and compassion to help you through this difficult time. While every situation is different, there are some necessary steps that you can expect to take when planning a child’s funeral.

What to Know About Funeral Planning for a Child

In many ways, funeral planning for children is similar to that of an adult. You will need to make crucial decisions about whether you prefer a cremation or burial and the type of service you want. Because it’s unlikely that your child expressed any particular wishes regarding their funeral, these decisions will be left for you to make. With that in mind, funeral homes work closely with grieving parents to arrange services that capture the memory and spirit of their child. As you work through this process, keep the following in mind. 

Provide Specific Instructions

As a parent, you can make decisions about your child’s appearance, including their clothing. You may wish to provide a photograph to the funeral home for the mortician to reference. If you have special requests, like wanting to preserve a lock of your child’s hair, make that clear to the funeral planner.

Choose Music Carefully

The music and songs played at a child’s funeral can trigger powerful emotions and memories for years to come, for you and the funeral attendees. Select music that honors your child, but be cautious about choosing popular songs that you might regularly hear after the service is over. 

Involve Siblings

When a child passes, their siblings are grieving as well and may feel left out of the funeral process. Talk to them about how they wish to participate in the planning and service, and allow them to be a part of things. They may want to place special items in the casket or helping in selecting clothes for their sibling. 

Invite Important People in Your Child’s Life

Although you may wish to have a private funeral with your family, consider having a memorial service for those who were important to your child and allow these people to honor them as well. Teachers, coaches, classmates, doctors, and others who played a role in your child’s life will likely want to say goodbye and share their memories with you. 

If you are faced with the emotional task of planning a funeral for a child, the compassionate experts at Fossum Funeral Home in Onalaska, WI, will guide you every step of the way. For nearly 100 years, this family-owned funeral home has helped families honor the lives of lost loved ones with meaningful, beautiful, and respectful services. Visit their website to learn more about their services, and call (608) 783-9777 today to speak with an experienced funeral planner.