Helping A Child Who Has Lost A Parent

Everyone wants to shelter their children from the hardest parts of life, but in reality, it’s just not possible. Children are going to experience losses whether it’s when they move away from friends or when their beloved pet passes away. One of the worst losses a child can face is when they have to attend services at funeral homes in Port Washington, NY for their parent. There’s a natural order to things and while parents are supposed to pass on before children (though it doesn’t always work this way), it can be very hard for a child to process. Adult children expect it more, but children of a younger age can struggle even harder with the understanding part of the process. If you are the other parent or are close to a child who has lost a parent in some way, here are some things you can do to help.

Understand The Reactions

Children, like adults, are going to react differently to their loss and they might even grieve in different ways. They may need to have the loss explained to them and they might be sad right away. Other children will want to ignore the loss or will be angry and frustrated at first. Keep in mind that no matter how the child reacts, it’s likely normal and it’s okay for them to present their emotions in whatever way they see fit.

Allow A Goodbye

There are some funerals that you might not want to take a child to, say a distant cousin or a co-0worker, but when it comes to the child’s parent, you want them to have a chance to say goodbye. This is essential to their understanding and the grieving process. Even if they don’t want to attend the funeral (which is okay), you will want them to have a chance to say goodbye in some way or another. That might be visiting the cemetery later, planting a flower, or drawing a picture.

Keep The Connection Alive

Just because the parent has died doesn’t mean the child shouldn’t still feel connected to them. Keep pictures up in the house, talk about the parent, and celebrate birthdays as you would if they were there. Keep the memories alive through stories and actions so the child knows the parent still lives on within them and in their memories.

These are just a few ways to help a child get through the loss of their parent. It’s never going to be easy, but when you work with funeral homes in Port Washington, NY and get grief resources, you can help the child to the other side of their grief. Contact the professionals at

Roslyn Heights Funeral Home by calling (516) 621-4545 for information on final services or for the grief resources you need for the child in your life. You can also visit with our funeral director in person at Mineola Ave Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 so we can aid you through this difficult time.