Can you imagine the grief of losing a parent during childhood? Are you curious about the proper way to handle this type of situation? For a child, losing a parent may be their first experience with death.

Most of the people who attend funerals are adults. Have you ever attended a funeral service for the parent of younger children? Were the children at the funeral parlor?

If you want to learn more about a child’s funeral experience, then listen to this episode of Forever in their Hearts, where host Erik Reynolds talks with Valerie Martell, Director of Operations for Martin Brothers Funeral Services about this specific situation.

Children are resilient. Losing a parent can have a significant impact on a child’s world view and understanding of death and life. This interview is an opportunity to learn tips and what’s acceptable for this situation.

Children and Open Casket Funerals

The episode begins with Valerie explaining whether a child should view their deceased parent during a funeral.

Nobody knows a young child better than their parent. When the parent is gone, it can be difficult to know what will provide healthy closure for their children.

Children have huge imaginations. Valerie explains how this might impact their view of death, funerals, and their environment.

Is the Funeral a Place for a Child to Invite Friends?

Then Valerie discusses whether it is acceptable for a child to invite their friends to the funeral. During the podcast she also addresses the following questions:

- Is it okay for older teens to attend funerals without an adult present?
- Where can a parent go for questions regarding children and funerals?
- What are some tips for knowing if a child is grieving in healthy ways?

Now ask yourself these two questions: Do I have questions about how grief affects children? Do I want to know more about children and funeral experiences? If you answered “yes” to either or both questions then you may be interested in learning more about a child’s funeral experience.

Children, Grief, and Getting on with Life

Next Valerie segues into children and grief. She offers tips for how to know your child is doing the necessary grief work associated with losing a parent.

Valerie goes on to discuss some of the things a child going through the stages of grief may or may not need from an adult.

Kids can tell when adults are grieving. Valerie talks about things you can do to help a grieving child who asks to go to school or stay home a bit longer after a funeral.

Valerie wraps up the episode with final thoughts about a child’s funeral experience and grief.

Would You Like to Know More about Children and Grief?

Do you want to know how to help a child move forward after a funeral? Are you interested in learning more about how children express grief? Listen to the entire podcast now, and then ask your questions or post your comments below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services has more than 100 years of experience in providing thoughtful, dedicated services to families dealing with loss. If you are ready to take care of funeral pre-arrangements, have additional questions about their services, or are dealing with a loss, please contact them at their Vancouver office.

Martin Brothers Funeral Services

Vancouver: Funeral Services Centre
3398 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6S 2C1

Telephone Number: 778.330.7799
Toll Free Number: 1.800.382.2901
Fax Number: 778.330.7633

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinBrothersFuneralChapelsBcLtd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinbrothers1