Planning Your Funeral
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Planning Your Funeral

Nearly 5 years ago, my husband’s precious maternal grandmother passed away. This special woman had an amazing sense of humor and a flair for life. Without saying a word, she could make me laugh with just a look. Several years before her death, she visited a local funeral home in order to plan her funeral services. When she passed away, the family didn’t have to deal with the stress of organizing her farewell services. They could relax, grieve, and concentrate on the wonderful memories they shared with her. I've grown to appreciate this. On this blog, you will discover the steps required to plan your own funeral.

Planning Your Funeral

Tips For Helping Kids Choose Gifts For A Funeral

Nora Mitchelle

The loss of a loved one can be one of the most painful experiences in life. Unfortunately, children sometimes discover this hard truth early in life. If your children lose a family member, friend, or other loved one, they may want to go to the funeral. Prepare them by explaining funeral traditions such as bringing sympathy gifts to those who were closest to the deceased person.

Bringing a gift to a funeral can help kids feel as though they are doing something special in memory of the loved one. A gift from your children is likely to mean a lot to the recipient as well. Follow these tips to help your children choose the right gift for a funeral:

Start by Listening to What Kids Want to Express with the Gift

The best way to get your children interested in what you say is to first listen to them. Find out what they want to convey with the sympathy gift. Ask open-ended questions to help discern what children want to communicate with the sympathy gift. Some questions you may want to ask include:

  • Why do you think people bring gifts to funerals?
  • What was the best time you had with (name of the deceased person)?
  • How do you think gifts can comfort someone who's grieving?
  • What sort of things make you feel better when you're sad?
  • What are some ways you want to honor the person's memory?

Simply asking these questions can help kid start to think of what sympathy gift may be best for the funeral.

Gently Guide Children in the Right Direction

If you agree to let your children pick out a sympathy gift, try not to outright reject any of their choices. Instead, try to keep the discussion open and gently guide them in the right direction. If your kids choose something that's slightly off-the-mark, praise the thought behind it but offer a more appropriate option.

Give Detailed Suggestions to Indecisive Kids

Sometimes children may not know what to choose as a funeral gift, and that's perfectly okay. Offering suggestions can help kids learn about this tradition. When making suggestions to children, use the opportunity to give detailed explanations about gift choices. For example, if the deceased person adored shades of blue and loved picnics, you may opt to bring a floral display in a blue picnic basket. Talk to kids about why that is a meaningful choice.

Finally, keep in mind that it really is the thought that counts. As long as the gift your children choose is appropriate for the occasion and given from the heart, the recipient is likely to be grateful for it. The simple fact that your children wanted to give something special in memory of the deceased person can provide a great deal of comfort to mourners.

Contact local funeral services for more information and assistance. 


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