How To Prepare Your Child For A Funeral

How do I prepare my child for a funeral?

First you should ascertain whether or not the child wants to go to the funeral. If they've clearly indicated that they don't want to go, no encourgement or force should be used to try to make the child go. If they have indicated that they do wish to go, explain to them in general terms what's going to happen. Explain to them that there are probably going to be lots of people there. Give them a general idea of the procedure that's going to take place. Try to see that they're dressed appropriately. If it's the winter time, and it's a graveside service, make sure that the child is warm, it's wearing suitable clothing, etc. Keep the child close to you at all stages, and if they ask any questions, tell them the truth. If they say, for example, "Is Nana sleeping?" Say "No, Nana is not sleeping, she has died." There is ample evidence to show that children who are given the wrong information at the time of a funeral can become very distressed later on and have a very profound impact in their attitude towards sleep, etc.