Tips for Talking to Children About Death
It can be hard for adults to wrap their minds around the concept of death and to accept the separation that it causes. But it can be especially difficult for children to comprehend what is going on after a loss. If you’ve recently experienced a death in the family and need the help of a Wapakoneta, OH cremation services provider, you’ll need to spend time finding the right funeral home. But in the rush to plan the body disposition, don’t overlook the need to explain things to the youngest and most vulnerable members of the family. It’s important to make every effort to ensure that the kids, not just the adults, understand what’s happened, what needs to be done, and even how they will be affected by the loss. Here are some tips to explain things to children.
Be Honest
It’s best to be honest. You need to be honest not only in terms of what has happened, but also in terms of how what has impact has impacted you. They need to know that it is upsetting to you. If you are a bundle of nerves, don’t feel the need to hide the fact that you’re deeply hurt. When the children of the family see you grieving, it will demonstrate to them that it’s okay to be sad and to express grief after the loss of a loved one.
Ensure They Understand What Has Happened
While you can imagine that it might be hard to explain to children what death means, you need to do your best to ensure that they can grasp the concept on at least some level. You might want to refer to death as a deep dreamless sleep from which their loved one won’t wake from. Let the children know that their deceased relative won’t experience any pain or fear. Depending on the age of the children, you might want to employ some other analogy to explain death to them.
Help Them Work Through Their Emotions
When children see that it’s okay to experience a range of emotions, they will be more likely to express how they’re feeling. Let them know that it’s okay to cry and that grieving is normal. Also be sure to let them know that they can come to you at any time to talk about what has happened. Sometimes the best thing is to ask specific questions – to prompt them so that they open up.
Get Them Ready for the Cremation Service
You’ll want to explain to them what the cremation process entails. If the children are very young – such as toddler age – you might want to have a babysitter take care of them at your home. But older children should be allowed to take part in any service honoring a deceased loved one.
When you need the help of a provider of cremation services in Wapakoneta, OH, get in touch with us at Eley Funeral Home & Crematory. We’re a professional death care services provider that is dedicated to helping families to plan final services for their loved ones. We’ll also be on hand should you need help explaining death and the body disposition process to your little ones.
We’re available 24/7 to help your family and answer any questions you have during this time.
