Speaking with a Child About Death
It is never easy to let your child know that someone they care about has died. It requires honesty and also tact, and you may be dealing with grief, yourself, making everything more difficult. If that is something that you are going through now and you want to be certain that you can tell your child what has happened in the best manner possible, there are some tips to consider. Here are the things that directors of funeral homes in Rochester, PA want you to remember.
You need to be clear in your word choices. Lots of times, parents try to soften the news by using words like”passed away”, but that can actually be confusing for your child. Instead, you want to let them know that the person has died. As harsh as it may sound, it can actually be much better to use clear words so that you can avoid misunderstandings and confusion. It can be a good idea to write out what you want to say so that you can read through it and see if it is clear enough.
You want to talk to your child about the death as soon as you can after it happens. The more you wait, the more difficult it can be to let your child know. You also want to remember to give them information but not more than they ask for. Your child will likely be curious and want to know what has happened, but wait until they ask so that you do not overwhelm them with information.
You want to let your child know that you are feeling grief, as well. They will take their cues from you and how you behave, so showing your child that they can express themselves is important in the process of accepting the death and coming to terms with it. Let them know that they can always reach out to you to let you know what they are going through.
Offer comfort and assurances. You will want to let your child know that it is perfectly normal to feel upset. You also want to give them the opportunity of taking part in the services you may be planning for the person. This can be crucial in helping the child come to terms with the loss.
When getting ready to let your child know of death, you want to consider all of these things. Be honest with them and let them know that you are there for them if they want to talk or if they have questions. To learn more about all of this, you can reach out to a Rochester, PA funeral home like us at Gabauer Funeral Homes. Our team is ready to help you with all of the arrangements you need to make after death so do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can give us a call right now or you can stop by one of our locations today to know more about what we can offer.
