CHILDREN'S CORNER How Should I Explain Death?
The
Time of Death can be mystifying and troubling to a young person. We at
Desert Sunset Funeral Home help children understand the processes of dying,
death
and bereavement and how it affects their lives. Our
children's program offers interactive discussions of what happens when
a person dies, what the children will see, and examination of the
caskets help children deal with the situation in an honest and caring
setting before seeing their grandparent or other loved one. We
encourage children to be part of the funeral by putting pictures,
letters or other meaningful items in the casket. Young people may also
act as honorary pallbearers during the service.
Should The Children Know?
Learning
to accept death is a natural experience in life which, must not be
ignored. Talking about death is necessary. It is a vital part of every
child's development.
When & How Do We Participate?
Individual appointments will be made for your family or group at a time that is mutually convenient to your family and ours. The program is best conducted at Desert Sunset Funeral Home this gives the children more of a hands on approach to learning. The intention of the program is to give a better understanding, and remove the mystery around what happens when a person dies. Depending on the ages of your children, and the size of your family or group, we would like you to allow us 60 minutes for discussion, tour, and questions.If the child is old enough to walk let him/her walk with you into the funeral home, if not carry them in with you.
Caring for a Surviving Child
As in all situations, honesty is the best way to
deal with children. Talk to the child in a language that they can
understand. Remember to listen to the child and try to understand what
the child is saying and just as importantly, what they are not saying.
Children need to feel that the death is an open subject and that they
can express their thoughts or questions as they arise. Below are just a
few ways adults can help children face the death of someone close to
them.
1. The child's first concern may be "Who is going to take care of me now?"
2. The child will probably have many questions and may need to ask them again and again.
3. The child will not know appropriate behavior for the situation.
4. The child may fear that they also may die or that they somehow caused the death.
5. The child may wish to be a part of the family rituals.
6. The child may show regressive behavior.
Adults can help prepare a child
deal with future loses of those who are significant by helping the
child handle smaller losses through sharing their feelings when a pet
dies or when death is discussed in a story or on television.
In
helping children understand and cope with death, remember four key
concepts: Be Loving, Be Accepting, Be Truthful and Be Consistent.
EXPLANATIONS THAT MAY NOT HELP
Outlined below are explanations that adults may give to a child to explain why the person they loved his died. Unfortunately, simple, but dishonest answers can only serve to increase the fear and uncertainty that the child is feeling. Children tend to be very literal - - if an adult says that "Grandpa/Grandma died because they were old and tired" the child may wonder when they too will be too old and they certainly get tired - - what is tired enough to die?
How to help a child deal with loss
a) As soon as possible after the death, set time aside to talk to the child.
b)
Give the child the facts in a simple manner "be careful not to go
into too much detail. The child will ask more questions as they
come up in their mind.
c) If you can't
answer his/her questions, it's OK to say, "I don't know how to
answer that, but perhaps we can find someone to help us".
d)
Use the correct language - say the words "dead" and "die". Do not
use phrases such as, "He's sleeping..." or "God took her..." or "He
went away..."
e) Ask questions like, "What are you
feeling?" "What have you heard from your
friends?" "What do you think has happened?" etc.
f)
Explain your feelings to your children, especially if you are
crying. Give them permission to cry too. We are their role models: it
is good for children to see our sadness and to share our feelings with
them.
g) Use the given name of the deceased when speaking of him or her.
h) Understand the age and level of comprehension of your child speak to that level.
i) Talk about feelings, such as angry, sad feeling responsible, scared, tearful, depressed, wishing to die too, etc.
j) Read a book on death to your child. (Please see your local lending resource library)
k) Read a book on childhood grief so you have a better understanding of what they may be experiencing.
l)
Talk about the visitation period and funeral. Explain what
happens there and find out if your child wants to attend with the rest
of your family.
m) Think about ways that a child can say goodbye to the deceased, such as writing a letter, poem, drawing a picture, etc.
n) Talk to your child about your religious beliefs, if appropriate, and what happens to people after they die.
o)
Invite your child to come back to you if they have more questions
or have heard rumors so that you can help them receive the correct
information.
p) Talk about memories, good ones and ones that may not be so good.
q) Watch for behavior changes in your child - if they are cause for concern, seek professional help.
r) Watch out for "bad dreams" - are they occurring often? Talk about the dreams: they are a way to discharge stress.
s)
Friends, family and school mates frequently find solace and
comfort in doing something special in the name of the person who has
died.
t) Sudden death, violent death and the death of a
young person are especially hard to grieve. Disruption of sleep,
appetite, and daily activities may be normal responses to an abnormal
or unusual event.
Where do children fit in?
Grieving doesn't always end with the funeral: subscribe to our free daily grief support email program, designed to help you a little bit every day, by filling out the form below.