Do your children have questions about death, and do you have trouble answering these questions? Are you sure of the best way for explaining death to your children in the event of a grandparent’s passing?

If you plan to shut your children out of a grandparent’s funeral, then you could be denying them the opportunity to experience grief on an age-appropriate level.

When a grandparent dies, everyone needs to grieve regardless of their age. Family members that communicate with one another experience a healthier transition through the grieving process. Does this describe how your family responds to tragic situations?

If you’re interested in learning more about explaining death to your children then spend 20 minutes listening to this edition of Forever in their Hearts where your host Erik Reynolds interviews Dale Martin Jr., President of Martin Brothers Funeral Services in Vancouver, about how to talk to a child about a grandparents death.

Grief shouldn’t be a private affair. HEALTHLink Alberta* suggests asking child care providers and school personnel to help a child express grief-related emotions. This interview is a chance to learn more about how you can talk to your own children about grief after a grandparent’s death.

Benefits of Explaining Death to Your Children

Dale’s family has more than a century’s worth of experience with watching how families grieve after the loss of a loved one. He kicks off the episode by sharing how young he thinks children can be to comprehend the idea of death.

The more children understand about death, the better their chances of attending the services and memorials that celebrate the life of their lost grandparent.

If you aren’t sure how to talk to your child about the loss of a grandparent, then you could be denying them the chance to transition through the different stages of the grieving process.

Children and the Visitation or Funeral Service

Next Dale tackles the delicate subject of when it’s appropriate for children to attend the visitation, funeral, or other type of memorial to commemorate the loss of a grandparent. He also answers these questions:

- Should I bring my 2 year old to a funeral?
- Is it okay to bring my young children to the viewing?
- Where do I tell my children that grandpa is now?

Now ask yourself two questions. Do your children have grandparents that are still living? Do you plan to keep them from the funeral process in the event of a grandparent’s death?

If you answered “Yes” to either or both, then it’s time to evaluate what your child can handle when dealing with their own grief.

Discussing the Afterlife with Your Children

Then Dale offers tips on what you can tell children about where Grandpa has gone. A lot of this will depend on your religious values, and what your family chooses to believe about the afterlife.

Dale goes on to discuss some of the emotions that you as a parent might experience at a funeral, and how that might influence explaining death to your children.

Funeral homes are prepared to deal with loved ones of all ages when a grandparent dies. They can answer any questions you have about talking to your children about death. Why aren’t you asking them for help with this sensitive topic?

The episode wraps up with Dale sharing some final thoughts about explaining death to your children, and invites you to contact the funeral home for suggestions on books to help ease the process.

Are You Ready to Talk to Your Child about Death?

What have you told your children about the concepts of death and the afterlife? Do your children have a living grandparent whose funeral they might someday attend? Are you prepared to answer questions they have about their grandparent’s passing?

Listen to the entire podcast now. Then share your questions or personal experiences on this topic in the area below. We look forward to discussing these things with 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: http://www.twitter.com/martinbrothers1

* https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwId=aa122262