A child funeral is an appropriate way to remember a child’s life. Planning a ceremony can help you cope with the grief and isolation that follow a loss. You can hold a small reception at the family’s home, in a community center, or at a restaurant. A small service may also help the family cope with the grief, as it will be easier to focus on the life and legacy of the child, instead of planning a large service.
You can include children in the service if they choose. Some children want to read a favorite story to the other children or recite a poem to the deceased. Middle school-aged children may want to read a poem or tell you about a special memory of the deceased. If a child isn’t comfortable speaking, you can ask someone else to speak on their behalf. The funeral director may also be able to arrange for the service.
If a child is too young to understand the meaning of death, a child funeral should be as simple and as unobtrusive as possible. Preschoolers don’t have the emotional capacity to comprehend the full impact of the loss. Discussing the death with a child will help them grieve and process the pain. Be honest when answering questions or explaining the nature of death. If you feel uncomfortable answering the questions of a child, consider reading a poem.
A child funeral can be difficult for the parents. Although you can offer to help with funeral arrangements, it will only serve to make the grieving process easier. While a child may not be able to fully understand death, they do understand loss and death. If you do want them to participate in the funeral service, make sure you discuss the details of the death with them. As you know, children of this age are incredibly curious and can ask lots of questions. Try to be honest with them so that they don’t feel awkward about asking you for help.
A child funeral should be as simple as possible. If the child didn’t want to speak, he or she should be given the opportunity to express their feelings. Afterwards, the parents may want to have a short ceremony, where the child can read a poem. If a child is too young to speak, he or she can read a tribute that they wrote. If a child doesn’t wish to speak at the funeral, he or she can share his or her feelings through a letter or poem.
Some children may prefer not to speak during the funeral. Nevertheless, it is important for parents to be honest with their children and explain the death in a way they will understand. They should not be afraid to ask questions, but they should also be sure to answer their questions honestly. If they don’t want to say anything, they can read the poem or read a poem that they wrote. A child may be too young to understand the full meaning of the poem, but they should be able to recognize and appreciate the pain of loss.