Is it worth taking a child to a funeral
Is it worth taking a child to a funeral
The question of whether to take a child to a funeral is complex andambiguous. All situations are different and have their own nuances. Nevertheless, the funerals of grandparents often occur during the childhood of grandchildren. Children need to be taught correctly to experience the loss of a loved one, because sooner or later he will still face death.
Age of child
If the child is very small (up to 2.5 years), then hestill hardly able to understand the meaning of the funeral. The kid just gets tired and will be capricious. So a child under 2.5 years old is better not to take a funeral or to provide an opportunity to leave with him as soon as he is tired. Even if it is a child over 3 years old, care should be taken that he was at the funeral under the constant supervision of a particular adult. This adult will not only have to look after the child, but also explain to him the meaning of what is happening. Approximately at this age, the kid is already beginning to understand what funeral is and why they are needed. At any age, you should consider the child's desire. In no case should not insist, if the child does not want to go to the funeral. Beware also of imposing feelings of guilt on the child because of his refusal to go to the funeral. In such a situation, be sure to talk with the child, discuss the reasons for his reluctance. This may be anxiety, and inadequate ideas about the funeral itself, or something else. Already knowing the reason for refusing the child, you can remove it, help the child cope with their experiences. In most cases, children express a desire to be part of the family and to participate in funerals. Why take a child to a funeral
Funerals are a necessary ritual in our culture. The last goodbye is extremely important for the normal experience of grief. A person who has not been to a funeral is more difficult to accept loss. The same applies to children. But their funeral effects on the child's psyche will be provided only if they desire and are willing to participate in them. On the example of the funeral, you can also explain to the child what death is. Before funeral
Even before you take the child to a funeral, youmust necessarily explain: what funeral is, what will happen there, how people will behave there. The child must know what death is. Tell him also that people at a funeral can cry or even scream. This should not shock the child. At the funeral
Do not expect from a child and do not require that hequietly sat out all the funeral. Children easily get tired of such activities and lose interest in them. It is normal if the child will attend the funeral only part of the day. You can also take the child outside to play and take a walk. At the funeral, you should listen carefully to what others say to your child. The words of different adults can confuse the baby. Some adults will tell him "Be brave and strong", and others - "Cry". Do not give instructions on what the child should feel. It will be much better if you help him to understand his feelings and adequately express them. This is how you teach the child to cope with the loss. If this funeral is very close to the child of a person, you can think up a special farewell for him. Let the child put his picture to the deceased, for example. After the funeral
The child comprehends new information in the game. So do not be surprised if, after attending the funeral, the child reproduces in his games some rituals and rituals from the last farewell. Also, do not be alarmed when a child begins to portray a deceased or sick person. So the child comprehends death.
