How to Include Children in Funeral Services and Help Them Understand Loss

Navigating the process of grief is challenging for adults, but it can be even more complex for children. Involving children in a funeral service can help them process their emotions and understand the concept of loss in a healthy way. While it’s natural to want to shield them from pain, allowing children to participate in funeral services can help them find closure and say goodbye to a loved one in their own way. With the compassionate guidance of funeral homes in Canby, OR, families can include children in these important ceremonies while supporting their emotional needs.

1. Open and Honest Conversations About Death

Before involving children in a funeral service, it’s crucial to have an open conversation about death. Children’s understanding of death varies depending on their age, but they benefit from clear, simple explanations. Avoid using euphemisms like “gone away” or “sleeping,” which can confuse them. Instead, be honest and use language they can grasp.

Many funeral homes in Canby, OR offer resources and guidance for parents on how to explain death to children. They can help families find the right words to discuss loss, ensuring that children feel supported throughout the process.

2. Offer Choices for Participation

Giving children a role in the funeral service allows them to feel involved and gives them a sense of control during a difficult time. However, it’s important not to force them into participation. Ask children if they’d like to be part of the ceremony, and offer simple, age-appropriate tasks, such as:

• Placing flowers or drawings near the casket
• Lighting a candle
• Helping with a memorial slideshow or scrapbook
• Reading a poem or special message

Children who feel uncomfortable participating can be given the option to attend without taking an active role. Funeral homes in Canby, OR can help families plan meaningful ways for children to be involved, ensuring that their participation feels natural and comforting.

3. Create a Kid-Friendly Space

Funerals can be long and emotionally draining, particularly for young children. It’s helpful to create a kid-friendly space within the venue where they can take a break if they need to. This can be a quiet room with toys, coloring books, or soothing activities that help children decompress.

Many funeral homes in Canby, OR are equipped to accommodate children during services, providing spaces where they can relax and process their emotions at their own pace. These small considerations can make a big difference in how children experience the event.

4. Encourage Questions and Provide Comfort

Children are naturally curious, and they may have many questions during the funeral or afterward. It’s important to encourage these questions and answer them as honestly as possible. Questions like “Why did this happen?” or “Where do people go when they die?” can be difficult to answer, but responding with patience and understanding will help children make sense of the situation.

Holman Hankins Bowker & Waud, for example, understands the importance of creating an environment where children can feel comfortable asking questions. Offering reassurance and support during this time can help children begin to process their grief in a healthy way.

5. Memorialize the Loved One Together

After the funeral, finding ways to memorialize the deceased can help children keep the memory of their loved one alive. Activities such as creating a memory box, planting a tree in their honor, or making a scrapbook can provide children with an outlet for their feelings and help them preserve positive memories.

Many funeral homes in Canby, OR offer suggestions for how families can continue honoring their loved one after the service. By involving children in these activities, they can learn that while their loved one is no longer physically present, their memory can still be cherished.

Conclusion: Supporting Children Through Funeral Services

Including children in funeral services can be a delicate process, but with the right approach, it can help them understand loss and begin the healing process. By involving children in a way that feels comfortable to them, we help them honor their loved one while offering the emotional support they need.

Holman Hankins Bowker & Waud provides families with compassionate care and resources to help guide children through these difficult moments. With thoughtful planning and the help of funeral homes in Canby, OR, families can ensure that children feel supported, involved, and able to process their grief in a healthy way.