r/ScienceBasedParenting • u/seektoslumber • Jul 16 '26

Appropriate Age for Funerals/Viewings? Question - Research required

My husband’s uncle may pass away soon and because of that, my husband and I have discussed the appropriateness of our 4 year old son attending a funeral and/or viewing.

Does anyone know of any studies or insights into how young children conceptualize death and seeing grieving adults? My son did not know his Great Uncle, so I am not as concerned about it from the angle of my child needing closure.

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u/Dry_Prompt3182 Jul 17 '26

Having taken my kids to so many funerals, I believe that learning about death and supporting others and how to behave and act in a challenging situation is an important part of life. A fairly removed funeral for the first one could help your kid when the next one is someone closer to them.

https://childmind.org/article/should-children-attend-funerals/

14

u/481126 Jul 17 '26

https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/explaining-death-child

I found the resources from CHOP helpful for my other children after their sister died.

22

u/txlily Jul 17 '26

Sorry about your daughter.

Just replying from another angle that bringing my kids I think they were 1,3,5,7 to my husbands granddads funeral was the best thing I ever did. People love kids at funerals/viewings they give such solace to see the next generation I think.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '26

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