Childhood innocence is a thing to be cherished. If there was a way to easily avoid opening your child’s mind to the concept of death, there would be no question what to do. However, talking about funerals and death is inevitable. If you’re faced with this tough situation, Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home, Rochester, NY’s most reliable funeral service provider, is here to offer some sound advice on the subject.

It’s one thing to know you should discuss the topic with your child — especially before a family funeral service — but it’s another thing entirely to know how to talk about it. Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

• Keep It Simple: At a young age, your children don’t need complicated or long-winded analogies. A short, honest, and concise explanation will be the best way to help your child understand.
• Don’t Force It: If your child expresses a reluctance to talk about the issue, that’s okay. Simply let the child know you’re ready to talk about it when they are. Once the child feels comfortable, they will come to you.
• Ask Questions Back: To get your children to open up about the topics of death and funerals, do more than just give them a lecture. Ask them how they feel about it, if they have any questions about what the funeral service will be like, what their fears about death are, and other important talking points.
• Assure Your Child: It’s likely that a child’s biggest worry when thinking about death will be their own passing or that of a parent. It’s up to you to address this concern and assure your child that they will be well taken care of in the unlikely event that you die.
• Communicate Early: Don’t wait until after the family funeral service to talk about death with your child. The best time to have the conversation is not while you are at the funeral home during the memorial service. Instead, talk to your child before the funeral so they know what to expect, and you can focus on remembering your loved one during the memorial service.

Make communication with your child part of the preparations for your loved one’s funeral service. For the rest of the preparations, leave it in the capable hands of Leo M. Bean And Sons Funeral Home. Call them today at (585) 426-7830 to speak with one of their compassionate funeral directors, or visit their website for more information. You can also find the funeral home on Facebook.