Should Your Child Attend The Funeral?

No parent likes the idea of their child becoming aware of death at a young age. They want to shelter their kids and protect them from grief for as long as possible. However, sometimes it is necessary to involve the child in the process and help them healthily process the loss. At Tindall Funeral Home, we have seen several parents struggle to decide whether they should bring a child to a funeral. Here are some tips that can help with this concern:

Is the Child an Immediate Relative?

Children should attend the funeral of their parents, siblings, and grandparents. Children as young as six years old understand the concept of grief and want to be present at a funeral. Siblings facing the loss of a brother or sister experience survivor's guilt and need the closure offered by funeral services. If the child is an immediate relative or is close to the deceased, stopping them from attending the funeral will have a big impact on their mental health.

Age of the Child

There’s no reason to bring infants to the funeral if you can avoid it. Ask someone to watch the child while you attend the funeral because they won’t miss the ceremony. Infants are can be very disruptive, especially if they are active and cranky. You can also leave toddlers behind if they’re not particularly close to the deceased individual or are unlikely to stay quiet during the ceremony. It is best to ask older children for their opinion on the matter. Some may want to attend while others may want to avoid the ceremony. Parents should respect their child’s decision as much as possible.

Contact us at Tindall Funeral Home through our online form or call (315) 468-5521 if you want to know about our services and need advice.