The funeral or memorial service of someone who dies provides a valuable function to the surviving family members.
The ceremony helps them to acknowledge, accept and cope with the death of their loved one.
If there is a child in the family, you may wonder if the child should be included in the funeral planning or service.
This will depend entirely on the child and the situation.
If the child or children are old enough to understand and has a desire to participate in some fashion and depending on the circumstances, then it may be helpful for the child to do so.
This participation may help them to accept the reality of the death and be surrounded and comforted by caring friends and family members.
Often it can lend to be a supportive environment for children because of the care and love others around them will demonstrate.
Parent and their children who attend a funeral service with an open casket should discuss this before they attend the memorial.
Describing to them what they will see and what they are expecting to see will open discussion for this topic.
If the parents have never been to a funeral with an open casket viewing, you should share this with your child as well.
Good communication with your children will be beneficial in an open casket funeral.
Make sure you tell them what they will see before, during and after the funeral service.
Also let them know that this is a sad occasion where people often express their sadness by crying.
You may also want to have the someone near you that the child feels comfortable with, perhaps a relative or close friend to help answer questions as they arise, if you are unavailable.
If however, your child does not want to attend, do not force them or make them feel guilty for not attending.