Grief can affect children differently than adults; it can feel far more complex. Even when adults are experiencing emotions, they may have an easier time getting through everyday tasks than a child. And while funeral homes in Providence, UT, can offer an opportunity to leave the loved one to rest, the child may still need extra support after the services. Knowing how to help them is crucial, so let's look at six different ways to help them through their grief. 

Encourage them to Ask Questions 

Death can be a confusing process for a child, especially if it's their first experience, and even though it may be upsetting to answer questions about the deceased, this might be one of the best ways to help them through the process. When children are younger, they're not going to understand what has happened, so encourage questions and be prepared to answer them. 

Use Appropriate Language 



Grief will need a different response depending on the child's age. Younger children will feel differently and have different questions than teenagers, so when speaking to them about the loss, ensure you're using age-appropriate language. 

Teach them About Feelings 

Losing a loved one can bring up many different feelings, so it's essential to show the child that these are normal and not to fear them. Many people suppress what they're feeling and don't express it in healthy ways. Leaving the emotions unaddressed for long periods, so instead of letting it get to this point, teach your child healthy ways to express their feelings, especially those around grief. 

Encourage them to Express Their Emotions 

When you consider the different ways to release emotions, no two experiences will be the same. So, what might work for you, may not be the right option for your child. A few different activities to encourage are: 

• Having them draw a picture of their feelings 
  
• Writing down their favorite memory or how they feel 
  
• Incorporating age-appropriate books about loss 
  
• Help them create a scrapbook, stuffed animal, or photo book that reminds them of the deceased 

Share Stores and Spend Extra Time With Them 

Another essential part of the process is remembering the loved one, which means sharing stories about the individual, looking at photos, or watching videos. Spending extra time with the child to do these activities can help create a sense of comfort and feel connected to the deceased. 

Let them Know Things Will Be Alright 

Uncertainty can arise after loss because there may be schedule changes and new emotions for them to process. And even though things may be challenging, give them lots of reassurance by letting them know they are deeply cared for and loved. 

Our Team is Here to Support You 

Grief is a complicated process, especially for children, so use appropriate resources and reach out if you need extra support. And when it is time to lay a loved one to rest, we are your team of local experts. We are one of the locally owned funeral homes in Providence, UT, and our main goal is to create truly memorable events for our clients, so contact us today.