Children and Funerals

If you are concerned about discussing death with your children, you’re not alone.

Many of us hesitate to talk about death, particularly with youngsters. But death is an inescapable fact of life. We must deal with it and so must our children; if we are to help them, we must let them know it’s okay to talk about it.

By talking to our children about death, we may discover how much they know and understand – if they have misconceptions, fears, or worries. We can help them by providing needed information, comfort, and understanding. Talk does not solve all problems, but without talk we are even more limited in our ability to help.

What we say about death to our children, or when we say it,will depend on their ages and experiences. It will also depend on our own experiences, beliefs, feelings and the situations we find ourselves in, for each situation we face is somewhat different. Some discussions about death may be stimulated by a news report or a television program and take place in a relatively unemotional atmosphere; other talks may result from a family crisis and be charged with emotions.

At Joseph Levine & Sons children and grief are very close to our heart and we hope that you will take advantage of our assistance if the need arises in your family. Please contact us to learn about children experiencing grief and the potential assistance available in our community

For more information on children and grief, we have provided a list of books shown below:
Reading List for Children, Adolescents, & Those Who Care for Them…

After a Parent’s Suicide Margo Requarth, MN MFT Helping children heal A Child’s View of Grief Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. For parents and other caregivers Brave Bart Caroline Sheppard A story for traumatized and grieving children But I Didn’t Say Good-bye: Helping Children and Families After a Suicide Barbara Rubel Don’t Despair on Thursdays Adolf Moser Explaining Death to Children Earl A. Grollman Falling apart and coming together again in the teen years Donna O’Toole A book about change for teens Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. 100 Practical ideas, simple advice, and activities for children after death

How It Feels When a Parent Dies Jill Krementz I Heard Your Mommy Died Mark Scrivani & Susan Aitken I Heard Your Daddy Died Mark Scrivani & Susan Aitken I Miss You: A First Look at Death Pat Thomas & Leslie Harker Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children Bryan Mellonie & Robert Ingpen Ready…Set…R.E.L.A.X. Jeffery S. Allen & Roger J. Klein For ages 5-13. Exercises and activities to help children overcome anxiety Sad Isn’t Bad Michaelene Mundy & R. W. Alley What’s Heaven Maria Shriver When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death Lauie Krasny Brown & Marc Brown