Let children know how you feel and in a simple way how you are grieving. This lets them know that they can grieve too and they can share it with you. If you are crying at night or talking with someone and they never see you grieving, they may wonder why you are not sad about the person s death. Encourage participation in some commemorative or memorial event following the death. Sometimes children are afraid to go to the wake or too young to go the funeral Mass and burial.
Death can be an overwhelming experience for children.
If children would like to go to the wake or funeral, ensure that there will be support for them there. Try to follow the children s normal routine as much as possible. A death throws their world into chaos. Anything you can do to bring some structure, continuity, and stability to their life at this time is a great help. If you cannot meet the needs of children because of your own grieving, communicate that to others and ask for help.