The need for Johnstown PA funeral homes arises in every community. Everyone dies. When someone passes away, the people they leave behind often decide to celebrate their memory and mourn their passing with a funeral. However, how the funeral should be organized isn’t always clear. For example, should children be allowed to attend the funeral? There are no clear answers.
If the child was close to the deceased, it obviously makes sense for them to attend the funeral. However, there are other factors that may be more important. Very young children cannot be depended on to sit quietly for the entire service.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide to bring young children to a funeral.
Time
How long will the memorial service be? They range from a few minutes to hours. It’s easier to bring children to shorter services. The demand for attention is very great. If the child is a toddler or newborn, it doesn’t matter what their relationship to the deceased was. They’re not going to understand the emotional significance of the event.
Distance
If you have to travel to reach the funeral, that’s another reason why it may not make sense to bring your children. A further traveling distance puts extra stress on everyone. Traveling with toddlers and infants is tricky even if you’re going somewhere fun. The funeral element makes things harder.
Age
Age is perhaps the most important factor to consider. When your children reach the right age, you won’t have to worry about their behavior at the funeral. However, you do need to consult their inclination. At a certain age, children can make their preferences known. They may not want to attend the funeral. If that is the case, it’s worth considering.
Culture
In some cultures, it would be rude to bring to children to a funeral while in others it would be strange not to. Although you don’t have to live up to them, it’s good to be aware of what the cultural expectations are. Will the other guests expect children? Will it be too distracting? If your culture is silent on this issue, move your attention to the guests themselves. If the deceased was the child’s parent or sibling, it’s commonly expected that the child will attend.
Service
The funeral is often split up into multiple events. There may be awake or viewing, the funeral itself, the graveside burial, and the reception. You don’t need to commit to bringing children to all of the events. Each step in the funeral process has a different significance.
Funerals are events that can bring people together. People gather in one spot to share memories and talk about the deceased. It’s a moving, touching event. If you have never been to a profile before, the first one you attend can be a life-changing event. If you decide to bring your children, it’s a powerful event for them as well.
Johnstown PA funeral homes serve men and women’s desire to honor their loved one’s remains. Contact the experts at Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc. today.
