Speaking with your child about the death of a loved one is something that can be extremely difficult to do and which can be stressful to even think about. If that is something that you are getting ready to do, you may not be sure about how to begin the conversation. To help you deal with this stressful moment, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Madisonville, LA want you to keep in mind.
You want to be sure that you use language that is clear and that is honest when speaking with your child. It can be tempting to use euphemisms, since they can make the news seem less harsh, but children can get confused by these. You want to be clear in the language so that there is no ambiguity in what has happened.
Another thing to remember is that you want to encourage your child to ask questions. Children always have questions about death and knowing that a loved one has died will only increase them. You want to be as clear about the answer to these questions as possible, so that there is no confusion. If you do not know the answer to a particular question, you want to let your child know that you will do your best to find the answer for them.
Let your child know that you are grieving and that it is completely normal to feel sad. Sometimes, children are afraid of upsetting the adults in their family by displaying sadness, so letting them know that this is normal and expected can allow them to express themselves. This is very important, since it allows them to start processing the death.
For children that are old enough, you want to give them the choice of attending the service. Going to a funeral or memorial service is something that can be as beneficial for a child as for an adult, so it is something you want to offer them. If they do not want to attend the service, however, it is important not to force them to do so, since that can cause more harm than good.
As you get ready to speak with your child about the death of a loved one, it is essential that you remember all of these things. You want to be sure that you reach out to them and let them know what has happened in the most honest manner. You also want to encourage them to ask questions and to express themselves about what they are feeling. If you still have concerns about this kind of conversation, you want to reach out to a Madisonville, LA funeral home like us at Bagnell & Son Funeral Home. We are ready to help you with all of the funerary assistance you may need after the loss of a loved one. You can give us a call now or stop by our location to learn more about what we can offer.