Helping Children Deal with Grief After a Loved One Dies
The “Big Why”
April 17, 2018
How to Add Unique Touches to a Funeral Service
April 30, 2018
If it is difficult for an adult to deal with death, it is even more so for a child. Children, depending on their age, might not understand what death is, which can make it much harder for them to be able to start the healing process. If a loved one has died and a child in the family is struggling, it can be very important to know how to help them. We have some suggestions about how to do this below, so that the child can start feeling better.
Listen
The most important thing to do is to listen to a child as they speak about what they are feeling. Let them express themselves in any way possible. If this means drawing or speaking, let them do so without judgement. Do not tell them about similar situations you have gone through unless they ask specifically, since you do not want to turn it into a conversation about you. One thing to remember is not to push a child to tell you how they feel…just encourage them.
Let Them Cry
Another very common thing that adults do is try to keep a child from crying. They try to distract them from their grief, but this is not the best option. You want the child to start the healing process as soon as possible and this can only happen if they acknowledge the grief. If you are not sure how to go about this situation with a child, reach out to a Dale City, VA funeral home for guidance.
Answer Questions
A child will probably have many questions after the death of a loved one. It is vital that you do your best to answer them as honestly as you can. Many people try to give children answers that will make them feel better, but which are not necessarily true. This can create an issue later on. Avoid this by being as open as possible when they start asking questions.
Involve them in Process
If they want to be involved in the funeral or memorial, let them. Many people think that by not letting children go to funerals they are protecting them, but it can have the opposite effect. To begin the healing process, a child needs to understand what happened and find closure and seeing the funeral can make that possible.
All of these tips can make it easier for a child to find their way through grief after a loved one dies. Shielding them from a death is not always a good idea, so you want to take the time to be honest with them and listen to what they have to say. Let them express themselves in any way they feel is right in order to begin the healing process. Speak to an expert to help you with this by reaching out to Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, located at 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. Richmond, VA 23234. Call us at 804-275-7828.
