subject: The Cremation And Funeral Process For Kids [print this page] Adults find it hard to cope with loved ones dying, not only when it comes to cremations or funerals, but also afterward. Dealing with kids who have lost a loved one makes it so much harder for the adults who take care of them. After all, it is very hard to help someone else through a situation when you are in the thick of it too.
A child's age determines how much he or see understands about death. Personality, life experiences and preparedness all contribute to how a child views the experience. It is important to explain death to a child in a way that he or she will understand.
Honesty is very important when it comes to helping a child deal with death. Encourage the child to ask questions and answer them honestly. Of course, it is not so easy to answer questions when you don't know them either. Create a comfortable and open atmosphere and be sure to encourage the child to experiences all the emotions that she feels.
All children are unique and their understanding of death will depend on their ages. Some kids will need to talk about it constantly for a number of days, weeks or months, other kids will seem much more accepting and seem to forget about it right away. If you want, you could mention some of your spiritual beliefs on the matter.
Children of preschool age have a literal view of the world and therefore you should explain death in a direct manner. They usually understand that death is inevitable when the body stops working. You can explain that while it is very sad that the deceased is no longer there, it is something that happens.
At this young age children often find it hard to accept and understand that all people (and other living things) have to die and that they will not come back. Expect to be asked whether the person will return. Being asked over and over and repeating that the person will not return will be hard, but continue to explain calmly that it is not going to happen.
Since children think literally, it is important to avoid euphemisms. Explaining that someone went to sleep or went away will simply confuse a young child. It is enough to just explain that the person is no longer alive. Depending on your belief-system, now might be the time to share your thoughts about what happens after death, cremations or funerals.
