In Grief: Should Young Children Attend a Funeral?

When deciding whether your child should attend a funeral or memorial service, age is not the most important consideration. Your child is part of the family, and as grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt wisely observes, children who are old enough to love are old enough to grieve.

No child is too young to attend a funeral, provided that the child is prepared for what will happen and what he or she will see at the funeral home, and is lovingly guided through the process. Shutting children out makes them feel alone and conveys the idea that death and grief are too horrible to be faced. Children need to learn that special, loved people do die—but also that there will always be somebody there to take care of them.

Understanding and Managing Grief, March 4 - March 9, 2019

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

7 Ways to Treat Yourself With Kindness While Grieving, http://j.mp/2Hozqy3 « What's Your Grief?
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How Matthew Broderick's movie "To Dust" explores grief with laughter, http://j.mp/2H4W8f2 « Legacy.com

Life after Caregiving, http://j.mp/2NKCfdG  « AfterTalk Inspirational 3.7.19

When Children Attend A Funeral: Some Preparation Tips

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In Grief: Should Young Children Attend a Funeral?

At what age should children attend a funeral? 
When deciding whether your child should attend a funeral or memorial service, age is not the most important consideration. Your child is part of the family, and as grief expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt wisely observes, children who are old enough to love are old enough to grieve.

No child is too young to attend a funeral, provided that the child is prepared for what will happen and what he or she will see at the funeral home, and is lovingly guided through the process. Shutting children out makes them feel alone and conveys the idea that death and grief are too horrible to be faced. Children need to learn that special, loved people do die—but also that there will always be somebody there to take care of them.  Read on here >>>