Read on for their top five tips on helping a child deal with death.
Don’t Wait To Break The News: Tell a child directly when someone has died. This prevents them from hearing it in an unstructured and unsupportive manner, like from the whispering of relatives. If possible, somebody close to the child should be the bearer of this bad news.
Be Honest: Give as honest of an explanation of the death as possible. Avoid euphemisms (like
saying someone is “asleep”). Do make sure, however, that the information you share is within the child’s limits of understanding.
Offer Comfort: Tell the child that they might feel sad or strange, or want to cry—and that this is okay. Make it clear that you are there for talking, hugs and general comfort. You want to create a secure space where the child can express emotions.
Tell The Child What To Expect: When it comes to the actual funeral services and the procedures involved, tell the child what to expect. Children who want to attend should of course be allowed to do so, but should not be forced.
Remain Patient: Remember that no two kids will react identically in these difficult situations. Even amidst your own grief, remain observant as to any changes or strange behavior that may arise in a child following such a traumatic event.
If you are dealing with the death of a loved one, you don’t want to add planning funeral services to the stress you are already experiencing. Rely on Adzima Funeral Home to take care of the planning—while you take care of yourself and your loved ones. They provide services to Stratford, Milford, Shelton, Trumbull, Bridgeport and Orange. Visit their website or call (203) 375-2200 if you need help to plan a funeral.