Children's attendance at the cemetery may help them learn the importance of leave taking and it gives basic emotional tools for dealing with unfinished feelings. Just as children can not be protected from the knowledge of death, they can not, and should not, be excluded from the grief of mourning. After funerals, children should not be automatically sent away to be with friends and relatives. Children often construe this as dismissal, rejection, and abandonment. Children should be encouraged to share to a degree, their emotional experience with adults during the mourning or wake period.
Many religious communities reach out to both adults and children.
Friends and family demonstrate concern and love. Many of our traditions create a sense of belongingness, solidarity, and cohesiveness. Children should be permitted to participate in the many significant family ceremonies. Children's friends are always welcome in homes. With friends nearby, children have additional support from their own peer group.