Speaking with your child about death is something that can feel almost impossible to do. You may not be sure where to start and that can make things even more difficult. To be sure that you know what you need to say, there are some suggestions and tips that can help. Here are the ones that providers of cremation services in Long Beach, NY want you to remember.
The first thing that you want to do is speak with your child and be prepared to use clear language. Many parents think that using euphemisms like “passed away” can be helpful, but they can actually confuse children. You want to use clear terms that do not leave room for confusion. This may seem cruel or harsh, but it will help the child come to terms with the death sooner.
You want to let your child ask questions. They are bound to have many and you want to do your best to answer as honestly as possible. Knowing the answers to questions can put your child at ease. If you do not know an answer, you want to let them know that and tell your child that you will try to find the answer for them. This will reassure them that you are taking what they are asking seriously.
Another thing you want to do is let your child know that you are also struggling with grief. Children can sometimes be afraid of displaying what they are feeling because they worry about how the adults will react. When you let them know that you are going through the same emotions they are, this can encourage them to share with you what they are feeling. That is definitely something that you want so that you can offer comfort and support.
If your child is old enough, you want to give them the choice of attending the service of their loved ones. This is something that not all children will want to do, but it can be helpful with the healing process. Do remember that you never want to force a child to attend if they do not want to and that you do not want to forbid them to go, either. Keep that in mind and give them the choice.
Getting ready to have this kind of conversation with your child is always a tough thing to do. It can be vital to know what you can expect from this conversation, so you may want to take some time and research a bit about it. If you want to know more about dealing with grief and helping others through it, you can reach out to a Long Beach, NY cremation services provider like us at New Leaf Cremation. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have about any of this. Call us right now or visit us today to speak with one of our experts about having this kind of conversation.