As a parent, your child is everything to you. They are going to go through their life by your side and you will raise them as best you know how. When someone you know passes on, funeral homes in Wayne, PA are there to care for that person. And you will make plans for them and still care for your child as well. You will need to decide whether or not your child will accompany you to the funeral. Here are a few things you can ask to help you to make that choice. 

Who Passed On? 

This is a big question to answer and can be the deciding factor upfront. If the person who passed on was a close friend of yours, but wasn’t really anything to your child, then you can go to the funeral alone and let your child stay behind. On the other hand, if it was a grandparent to your child or someone else they knew and loved, they might need to be there as much as you do. Consider their relationship to the person who died and what your child might need, too. 

Does Your Child Understand? 

Children of a certain age are in a bubble of innocence, and that’s not a bad thing. They just simply don’t understand what a funeral is about or about the grief and loss going on around them. If they knew the person who died, they will grieve in their own way and they will notice that person is gone. But they may not understand the funeral process or even what they are supposed to get from it. That’s for you, as the parent, to judge. 

Do They Need To Attend For Their Own Sake? 

If your child knew the person that died and you feel they would benefit from the service, then it’s a good idea for them to go. They might get a deeper understanding about the fact that the person is gone and is not coming back. They need that closure in order to move on, just like anyone else. 

What Child Care Options Do You Have? 

It might come down to what options you have for caring for your child during the funeral. If all of your family and friends will be at the event, you don’t have anyone left to watch your child. The good news is, you can take them and you will have plenty of people to help you to watch out for them at the event. 

What Do They Say They Want? 

You are going to want to ask your child what they want in these instances, too, and respect what they have to say. Ultimately, it’s up to you. But if they really want to go, or really don’t want to go, you need to take that into account along with their emotions towards the person who has passed on. 

There are lots of things you will have to work through when a family member passes on, and funeral homes in Wayne, PA can help you with advice and information.