Q
My daughter did not think that her seven-year-old should attend a recent funeral. I noticed that other children who did attend seemed to handle the service very well. My grandson is very curious and asks lots of questions. Is he emotionally capable of attending a funeral?
A
Most child bereavement specialists believe that children as young as three years old are equipped to attend both a funeral and a burial at the cemetery. Kids need as much closure as adults and these rituals satisfy that need. Parents or other loved ones should explain to the child what will happen at the funeral. A child shouldn't be left alone at a funeral service or ever be forced to go to a funeral. Children need to be able to say good-bye too, especially if they were close to the deceased. Earl Grollman's Talking About Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child is a superb resource for families dealing with this issue.