Explaining Death to Children
 

Should children attend funerals?

Yes. Attending the funeral allows the child to be a part of the family at a time when they need love and attention the most. If the child is leery of the funeral, perhaps you can arrange a private moment before or after the service for the child to say goodbye. The important thing is that the child is with friends and family and not isolated from the situation.

How can I help a grieving child?

Grieving is a natural part of the healing process. To help the child through it, we recommend the following steps:

	Provide comfort for the child. Make sure that you are ready to listen or give hugs when they need it.
	Focus on the memories. Talk about your experiences with the deceased and encourage the child to share their own fond memories.
	Use art. Let the child draw a picture or write a letter dedicated to their loved one that can be displayed during the service.
	Give a remembrance. Giving the child a picture or a memento will help the child remember their loved one.
	Involve the child. Letting the child participate during the funeral by letting them read a poem or sing a song will help them deal with his or her grief.

How can we protect children from the loss?

Unfortunately, there is no way to protect a child from the pain of losing a loved one. What can be done is to guide them so they can mourn and deal with their grief in a healthy way.

Q: What is a funeral for?

Funerals can help friends and family deal with the loss of a loved one by providing a venue where they can share their feelings about the experience. A full funeral service is also available for those who opt for cremation.

Some of its benefits include:

	Provides a social support system for friends and family.
	Shows that death is a part of life
	Lets the bereaved interact with the community
	Provides a means of transition to a new life
	Acts as a venue to express grief
	Reaffirms relationships with the deceased
	Provides the opportunity to say goodbye

What do I need to know about arranging a funeral?

Making funeral arrangements can be difficult because of the emotions that are involved. To help you, Byles-MacDougall Funeral Service can take care of all your concerns regarding the funeral.

To ensure that you get the best service available, we recommend that you:

	Ask questions
	Discuss all your options with the funeral directors at Byles-MacDougall Funeral Services
	Choose a licensed funeral director who is of good standing in the community
	Coordinate with the funeral directors ahead of time to avoid making decisions based on stress or emotions
	Plan a personalized ceremony or service to help you heal
	Contact one of our licensed funeral directors at Byles-MacDougall Funeral Services for more information on making meaningful arrangements

Is it possible to plan a funeral in advance?

Not only is it possible, but it is actually recommended. Pre-planning funerals can help you and your family deal with the emotional and financial burden of losing a loved one. It will also relieve surviving members from making painful decisions about the services. Take note that funeral pre-planning does not necessarily mean that advance payments are required.

To find out more about out pre-planning services, visit our news page for the seminar schedules or contact us so we can schedule one for you at your desired location.

Is it possible to still have a funeral service even if I choose cremation?

Yes. Cremation offers many different funeral options such as traditional or contemporary celebrations. In fact, you can personalize the service to reflect the preferences of yourself or your loved one.

For more information about cremation, call locally at 860-442-0343 or toll free at 888-736-7036 or simply visit the cremation section of this website.