Navigating a Child Through Grief Can Feel Complex, so Here are a Few Key Considerations to Help Them
In some cases, the adults around them can overlook a child’s grief because they may not show they have an experience. Once the cremation services in Sterling Heights, MI, are completed, getting the child to process their grief may be more complicated because they don’t understand what’s happening. Helping a child through grief could be a confusing process, so here are some healthy coping habits to help them through the experience.
Acknowledge the Experience
Acknowledging the loss is one way to start helping them talk about what has happened. A child experiencing grief may not give traditional responses or show that they have an experience. It’s recommended not to wait for them to come to you with their feelings and assume that they are also grieving if a loss has occurred.
Give them Reassurance
Most children need support, love, and reassurance from their families, especially during transition and change. Supporting them can look like explaining to them what the grief process is and what they should expect. Acknowledging that it’s okay for them to have these feelings and that there isn’t a specific way to process grief can also help them feel a sense of normalcy around their emotions.
Talk About Your Feelings
Another recommendation is to lead by example and openly talk about your feelings about the loss with them. This can help them see that it’s okay to have feelings and experiences and may encourage them to open up and express their feelings.
In addition, using age-appropriate language and explanations is also crucial. The words you would use for a 6-year-old will be different than a 14-year-olds, so keep this in mind when you are explaining emotions, grief, and aspects of death.
Create a Grief Ritual or Memorial Service
After a significant loss, it can be challenging to move forward for some individuals, so create a grief ritual to acknowledge the pain. Different types of rituals can include:
- Reading a poem about the deceased
- Sharing stories or creating art about the loved one
- Having a small memorial with ideas, they want to incorporate
Stay Consistent
Loss can create a large amount of instability and changes in regular schedules, so keeping the child’s schedule as consistent as possible is recommended. This can include not changing any pre-arranged play dates, encouraging them to continue in extracurricular activities, add remaining consistent with typical household practices like bedtime hours or meal times.
Our Team of Experts is Here to Help
Not every child will let you know they are experiencing grief after a loss, and many may hide their feelings or emotions. If you find speaking with the child about the loss challenging, consider reaching out for alternative resources like a trained grief counselor.
And if you need professional support and are looking for compassionate cremation services in Sterling Heights, MI, we are here to help. We are a family-owned and operated business and have been providing exceptional services for our community for over 100 years, so contact us today if you have any questions.
