Speaking with a Child About Death
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Letting anyone know about the death of a loved one is something that can be very stressful and it can be even more so if you have to tell your child. If that is the case, you want to have an idea of how to have this kind of conversation. To ensure that you know how to best have this kind of conversation, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Chesterfield, VA want you to remember.
You want to use clear language when speaking with a child about death. Many parents want to avoid using the words “died” or “dead” and instead choose to say things like “passed away” but this is a mistake. You can end up confusing your child and that is not what you want. Take the time to think about ways that you can let your child know the truth in the clearest manner possible.
You also want to be certain to allow your child to ask questions. They are bound to have many of them when dealing with a loss. Be honest and clear in the answers you provide. If you are not sure about the answer to a particular question, you want to let them know exactly that and you want to let them know that you will do your best to find the answer. This can be crucial for your child, so do remember it.
Another thing you want to do is to let your child know that they can grieve as they need to. Many children hesitate to show what they are feeling because they are afraid of upsetting adults. By letting your child know that you are also sad after the death and that they should express as they need to, you will be helping them process the death.
Be sure to give them the choice of going to the service. If you think your child is old enough to attend a funeral or memorial service, you want to give them the option of doing so. Do not force them to attend if they do not want to, however. A service can be as helpful for a child as an adult so do remember that.
As you start thinking about how to tell loved ones about a death, it is important to consider doing so with your children, as well. Honesty is crucial, as well as using clear language that will not confuse your child. Be sure to allow your child to ask questions, too, and to give them the chance of attending the service if they want to. If you want to learn more about any of this, you can reach out to a Chesterfield, VA funeral home like us at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service. Our team is here to help you with all of the arrangements you need to make after a death. You can call us right now or you can visit us today to speak with one of our experts about this.
