Taking children to funerals

I went to the funeral of both my father grandparents and my grandfather on the other side of the family. I don't remember those situation as being extremely traumatic or unpleasent. My younger sister, sat the age of 4 really insisted on going to my grandfather funeral and she were one of the most positive people there.

 I think a lot of it has to do with the parents approach to death and how they explain the situation to the child. I think that if this is the first time your child face the notion of death then without any explanation, this can be a very confusing situation, but if this comes with explanation before hand, and some talks about the meaning of the evednt and the child's feeling - this can be a good experience.

I think the best thing to do is to explain the kid what's a funeral and how it's going to be and what's going to happened and go over all the information you have about it with the, and then askk them if they want to go or not.

I would suggest to encourage the child to participate but don't force him. You should accept his own way to deal with the death . Talking with him and explaining the situation to him will help a lot also try to explain the spiritual side of the situation . Some children that are  really close to the deceased fell like their the feelings are important when they can share a poem or a memory as part of the funeral. Some children feel more included when they are invited to help plan the funeral service. Ask the child and check his reaction if he wonts to be part of the service or nor but remember don't force!

It would depend on a number of issues: relationship to deceased, age, maturity, understanding of the meaning of death, preparation by parent and acceptance by child. If it is a close relative and the child is well prepared it would be terribly wrong to not allow the child to go to the funeral, which later on could lead to recriminations and anger at the denial of an important right and obligation.

no i do not think it is healthy for a child to go to funerals at a young age. it could leave a very bad memory for them. life is full of enough disapointment and saddness why in the world would you subject your child to even more.wait tell they are older and then allow them to make their own choice 's