Telling a Child About a Death

Published: October 17, 2022
by Paul R. Young Funeral Home

Having a death in the family is always going to be incredibly difficult to go through, but it can be even more complicated if you need to let your child know about it. The death of a loved one can strike a child just as much as an adult and it can be difficult to know how to let them understand what has happened. If you want to know how you can let the child know about the death, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Mount Healthy, OH want you to keep in mind.

You need to be honest with your child and you need to use language that is clear. Using euphemisms like “passed away” can work fine with adults, but with children, it can lead to confusion. You can avoid this by using words that are clear and that do not leave ambiguities. This may seem harsh, but it is actually the best thing for your child. They will be able to start processing the death more quickly, which means they can end up healing more quickly.

Another thing to remember is that you want to allow your child to ask the questions they may have. Children tend to have lots of questions about everything and the death of a loved one is no exception. You want to answer the questions as honestly as you can. If you do not know the answer to some of them, be honest about this, as well, and let your child know that you will do your best to find out for them what the answer is.

Tell your child what you are also going through and that you are feeling the same grief they are. This is something that can be important. Your child may be afraid of telling you what they are feeling because they do not want to upset you. By sharing what you are feeling, you can let the child know that they can share with you what they are going through, as well.

If you think that your child is old enough to attend the service, you want to give them the choice to do so. Attending the service can be as important for a child’s healing process as for an adult’s, so it is something you want to offer. If they do not want to attend, you do not want to make them do so, however, and you should not forbid them from going, either.

These are some of the things you want to remember when getting ready to let your child know about death. It is never going to be an easy conversation, but it can definitely be a bit simpler if you keep these things in mind. Use clear language and allow your child to ask questions while also offering them the chance of attending a service. You can learn more about all of this by reaching out to a Mount Healthy, OH funeral home like us. Our team is here to help you throughout this difficult moment, so be sure to reach out to ask any questions you may have. You can give us a call right now or you can stop by one of our locations.

 
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