Bringing Children To A Funeral: Four Ways To Make The Day Easier
Bringing children to a funeral home can be a difficult decision, but there are ways you can create a supportive and nurturing environment that makes a wake and funeral less traumatic and more comfortable for young ones. Work with the funeral home director and use these ideas to help when planning a funeral for a loved one.
Create A Children's Area
Many funeral homes have separate rooms where snacks can be served. Ask if you can reserve one of these rooms and dedicate the space to children and parents. This gives little ones a place to go away from the casket so they can be more comfortable. Set out juice boxes and kid-friendly snacks in case they get hungry, and keep a few small pillows and blankets on hand in case they need to nap.
Offer Quiet Distractions
Keeping children busy can give adults time to talk with friends and family, and it also gives them time to grieve away from the kids. Have crayons and coloring books, puzzles and picture books available for the little ones to stay occupied. If there is a television in the room, pay a child-friendly DVD at a low volume for an added distraction. Avoid toys and games that might encourage children to run and play, as some guests may find this in poor taste.
Bring A Babysitter To The Funeral Home
Bringing a babysitter to the funeral home means you can still spend time with friends and family without having to worry about your children throughout the day. This also lets you keep your children nearby to have a quick visit with distant relatives without having to spend the entire day at your side. Let other relatives and friends know that you will have a babysitter available, and ask them to let you know if their children will be in attendance. This will make it easier for you to determine if you need more than one babysitter to handle all the children at the funeral home.
Take The Children Outside For A Walk
Spending all day in a funeral home can be emotionally draining for adults, and it can be even more difficult for children. During an all-day wake, take turns with other adults taking a small group of little ones outside for a break and a breath of fresh air. Outside, they can speak loudly, run for a little bit and release some energy that they can't inside the funeral home.
When planning funeral services, talk to the funeral director about different arrangements you can make for children who will be present at the wake and funeral. In some cases, the funeral home may have a plan for little ones to help them get through this difficult time. For more ideas, contact a funeral home, such as Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home Inc.
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