When my grandmother passed away, I was astonished to learn that I had been named the executor of her estate. After splitting up her belongings amongst my aunts and uncles, I turned my attention to planning her funeral. I didn't know where to start. Fortunately, I was able to find an excellent funeral home that understood how to help people plan beautiful memorial services. It was amazing to go through the process of planning the music, the speakers, and even the set-up of the room. This blog is all about planning gorgeous memorial services for the people that you love so that you aren't left grappling with difficult decisions.
While sending flowers to a cremation service may be a comforting gesture for adults who are mourning the loss of a loved one, that won't do much to help children. When you are planning to go to a cremation service where a child is among the mourners, bring along a gift that can help ease the immense pain the little one is likely feeling. Give a school-aged child one or more of these books to help them cope with the great loss and bring comfort to them at the cremation service.
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss is a book that helps children feel that their sense of loss and grief is validated. Unfortunately, too many adults try to cheer kids up by dismissing their very real pain. Rather than go that route, this 56-page book explores loss with sensitivity and compassion. It is suitable for a child experiencing the loss of a parent or any other loved one since it doesn't specify who has passed away. This book won the 2001 Theologos Book Award.
Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
As a 1980's classic children's book that deals directly with death, Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children is so beloved that it was even featured on the television series Second Chances when a child character loses a parent. It is a beautifully illustrated book that explains death in terms of life. It talks about how all living things have beginning and endings, and that we have the stuff in between to savor.
The Gift of a Memory: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One by Marianne Richmond
When you are looking for a book to help memorialize their lost loved one, The Gift of a Memory: A Keepsake to Commemorate the Loss of a Loved One is a great choice. It is beautifully illustrated with art that is a bit reminiscent of Monet. It's not depressing or overly cheery. It allows a child to create a book that celebrates the memories that they share with the lost loved one. It can help them feel that their memories are safe and also provide positive emotions during a negative time.
Finally, keep in mind that you should consider the school-aged child's reading level, maturity, and personal preferences when selecting one of these books. If in doubt, choose a book that may be slightly below a child's reading level, rather than above it, as you want to avoid additional frustration at this difficult time. When you bring along the gift of a book at a cremation service, you may help bring some sunshine to one of the darkest days of the child's life.
For more funeral etiquette tips, contact a company like Holmes Funeral Home.
Share23 November 2016
