If your family has suffered a loss and you have children, it is important to let them know about the death. That is not an easy thing to do, and it can leave you unsure of how to handle the conversation. If that is something that you are stressed about, there are some tips that can help. Here are the things that directors of funeral homes in Margate, FL want you to keep in mind as you begin.
The first thing that you want to do is speak with your child and be prepared to use clear language. Many parents think that using euphemisms like “passed away” can be helpful, but they can actually confuse children. You want to use clear terms that do not leave room for confusion. This may seem cruel or harsh, but it will help the child come to terms with the death sooner.
Another thing to remember is to allow your child to ask questions. They are bound to have many of them and you do not want to discourage them from it. You want to be as honest with your answers as possible. If they ask you something to which you do not have an answer, you want to let them know exactly that but reassure them that you will do your best to find out for them. This can be very helpful for a child.
It is also important to let your child know that you are feeling grief and that it is a perfectly acceptable response. Many times, children are afraid of upsetting adults by telling them they are struggling, so they can keep things to themselves. That is not what you want. By letting your child know that you are there for them and that you know just what they are feeling, you will be offering a lot of help.
Do include them in the funerary services if they want to attend. This can be confusing sometimes to parents, leaving them unsure if they should encourage the child to attend or not. It is important to let your child choose for themselves if they want to attend. Never force them to do so, since that can cause more harm than good.
Having a conversation with a child about the passing of a loved one is not an easy thing to do and it can add more stress to an already tough situation. By keeping these things in mind, you can let your child know what has happened in an honest manner. If you have more questions about this process, you can reach out to a Margate, FL funeral home like us. Our team is ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have about telling your child about a death. Give us a call right now or visit us today at our location to speak with one of our experts about how we can help you in what services we offer.
SUPPORT AFTER A LOSS
Circle of Friends+ provides you with resources on grief support and settling affairs, sent to you via text and email.