Few things are as devastating as losing a child, and while grieving, many parents may not know where to begin with funeral planning. While nothing can truly alleviate the loss, there are steps to follow to help you with the burden of planning a funeral service. Use the following guide to give your child a goodbye that expresses your love and the role they played in everyone’s lives.

How to Plan a Funeral for a Child

1. Establish a Point Person

You’ll need to find a funeral home, schedule burial or cremation services, organize transportation, talk to a florist, and more. All of this can be overwhelming for grieving parents, so establish a point person. A trusted friend or family member can communicate on your behalf, so funeral service needs are handled while you’re allowed to grieve as you need to.

2. Make After-Life Care Decisions

You’ll next need to purchase a casket or urn depending on if you want to bury or have your child cremated. Many funeral homes will offer children’s caskets and will help you make a selection. If you plan on hosting a viewing, they can help you choose what to dress your child in and how you want them presented. 

Also, consider the funeral service. You may want to play some of your child’s favorite music as guests arrive or home movies. Consider having religious figures, family, and, if your child was old enough, friends speak or deliver a eulogy.

3. Consider Creating a Kids Area

Funerals aren’t always easy for children to understand. If friends and family want to bring their children—often playmates of the deceased—establish a children's area in a separate room. There, children can play while you continue with the funeral service. Include art supplies or media, such as movies or television, though you should permit guests to allow their children to attend the service if they feel they won’t be disruptive.

4. Choose a Unique Goodbye

After the funeral service, consider a unique goodbye. You can have guests release balloons or birds into the air to symbolize your child moving on into the afterlife. If they were cremated, you could have their ashes pressed into jewelry, placed in a decorative urn shaped like your child’s favorite animal, or spread them in a cremation garden at a cemetery.

You can also consider scattering them in a lake where they loved to swim, or bury the urn at their favorite nature spot. However, share your plans with the funeral home, so you adhere to local laws or regulations.

Fossum Funeral Home knows the challenges that come with losing a loved one, which is why they’re committed to helping clients in La Crosse and Trempealeau County, WI, through the process. From funeral planning to burial and cremation services, they’ll ensure all your needs are met. Call (608) 783-9777 to schedule a consultation and visit their website to learn more about their services.