Speaking with a Child about a Death

After the death of a loved one, you need to let people around you know what has happened and that can include your children. It is never easy to let your child know about the death of someone they love and that can be very stressful to have to go through. If you are not sure about how to have this kind of conversation, it can be important to know a few tips. Here are the things that directors of funeral homes in Ogden, UT want you to know about this.

You need to be honest with your child and you need to use clear language when you speak with them. This is something that is harder than it may sound. Parents tend to use euphemisms when speaking with their children about death, but that can end up confusing your child more than helping. You want to be certain that you use language that they can understand.

Allow your child to ask questions. They are likely to have a number of them. When you answer, you want to be as clear and honest as possible. If you do not know the answer to a particular question, you want to let them know that, too. Reassure them that you will do your best to find the answer for them.

Letting your child know that you are going through a mourning period, too, and that you are dealing with grief can encourage them to share with you what they are feeling. Children many times feel like they will upset the adults if they show their grief, so assuring them that you are feeling the same thing can be important.

If you think your child is old enough to go to a service, you may want to give them the option to do so. As with adults, attending a service can be cathartic and it can offer the closure they need to start healing. If your child does not want to attend the service, however, it is important not to force them to do so. That can be harmful for the child. You want to give them the option and you want to respect their decision.

These are all important things you want to remember when getting ready to let your child know about the death of a loved one. Take the time to think about how to use clear language and how to encourage them to ask the questions they want to know. If possible, give them the chance of attending the service of the person. You can learn more about this by reaching out to an Ogden, UT funeral home like us at Aaron’s Mortuary & Crematory. We are ready to answer any questions you may have and we can help you with all of the arrangements you need after a death. Call us right now or stop by one of our locations to learn more about what we can offer and to speak with an expert.