A funeral service is a somber and emotional event. It can be difficult for people of all ages to cope with the circumstances, but children in particular may find it confusing. If you plan to take your child to the service, here’s how to prepare them for what’s ahead.

How to Get Your Child Ready for a Funeral

1. Explain the Funeral Service

Tell your child that the service is a chance for people who loved the deceased to come together, express their sadness, share their memories, and say a final goodbye to the person. Explain that some people might cry or seem especially sad. Tell them that this is normal and that it’s because everyone will miss the person so much.

Talk to them about what might occur at the service, such as speeches or music. Explain that the person may be in a casket and that it may be open or closed. Remind your child that you’ll be with them the entire time.

2. Answer All Questions Openly

Children are curious by nature, and because death is such a foreign and unfamiliar concept, they might be filled with questions. Be gentle and honest in your answers to provide them with a realistic look at what to expect without scaring them.

For example, they might ask you what dying means, where the person is, and whether they can still talk to them. Your honesty may help your child approach the funeral service with a little less trepidation.

3. Avoid Being Too Vague

There’s a tendency to gloss over the topic and use euphemisms to explain the concept of death. Saying that someone is “asleep,” for example, may suggest to a child that the person will wake up eventually. Saying that they’re “gone” sends a message that they’ll come back.

If you’re spiritual, you might tie your beliefs into this conversation to bring your child a sense of comfort. By talking to them in clear terms, you’ll clear their misunderstandings.

Families trust in the caring and compassionate staff at Willow Funeral Home, LLC, in Willow Springs, MO, during their periods of grief. They help people throughout Howell, Texas, and Douglas counties make funeral service arrangements, select a casket or an urn, and find grief support. Visit their website for more information on how they can help, or call (417) 469-3141 to speak with a representative.