Should You Bring Young Children to a Cremation Service?

The right cremation services Johnstown, PA can change you. It’s a deeply moving experience. That doesn’t mean that you know exactly how to behave, however. A cremation service is a very special event. Each one is unique. That’s why you may have questions about the ceremony. For instance, should you bring young children? There’s no clear answer.

Before you make your decision, there are a few factors that you need to consider. What is the child’s relationship to the deceased? If the deceased was the child’s parent, no one would blink an eye if the child attended the funeral. The situation is murkier when it involves a weaker relationship like cousins or a close family friend. In that case, you have to follow the lead. Ask the family what they would prefer.

A lot depends on the age of the child. A baby can’t be expected to control itself. If you bring a baby to a funeral, you have to be prepared to step outside. You might miss the entire service. That may be okay with you. It may be very important that you bring the baby.

A toddler is a different story. You can expect more from a toddler. Yet, you still can’t expect perfection. It would be very easy for the child to disrupt the service. You know your own children best. Don’t subject them to a long memorial unless you’re reasonably certain that they can handle it.

If you’re not sure if your child is invited, speak to the people hosting the funeral. However, it’s important to remember that you’re requesting a favor. They have every right to say no. Some families prefer to have a child-free memorial. Children are inherently distracting.

Some memorials are longer than others. Try to get a gist of how long it will be before you commit to taking your child. If everything will be settled within an hour, your child may be able to behave for the entire duration. However, if the memorial service is going to take hours, it’s only natural to question your child’s ability to handle it.

Parents often assume that everyone loves their child. Yet, there are people who feel uncomfortable around children. If your child is going to be the only child at the funeral, it might be because the hosts would rather the event be child-free.

Your child is an intimate part of your lie. But you can’t expect everyone to feel that way. It’s not realistic. It’s not an insult if your child isn’t invited to the funeral. If they are going, then you should speak with them before the event. Let them know what’s happening. It’s hard to explain death to a child, but it’s not impossible. You can find tips online.

The well-trained and compassionate team at Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory is who you need to talk to when you need cremation services Johnstown, PA. We’re located at 1521 Frankstown Rd, Johnstown, PA, 15902. You can also reach us by calling (814) 535-4018.