Simple Ways for Family Members' Children to Help at a Funeral

When someone dies, his or her adult children will often assume the responsibility of taking care of the funeral arrangements. If the adult children have kids who are old enough to contribute, it can be worthwhile to include them in some of the process. In a similar way that the children of family members may serve as ring bearers or flower girls at a wedding, there are a number of funeral service roles that are suitable for the children in your extended family. Of course, you'll need to ensure that each child is emotionally up for the exercise, but if several children wish to help, here are some ways in which they can lend a hand.

Directing Key Guests to the Front Rows

Often, the first few rows of seats at a funeral service will be designated for special people. Family may occupy the first row, followed by extended family or any other individuals who held a special significance in the life of your late loved one. If there are some kids who will be able to identify each of these people, it can be helpful to position a couple of the children at the entrance to the room to look for these individuals. The children can then point them toward their seats at the front of the room.

Carrying Floral Arrangements

At some funerals, there is some degree of a procession with some of the floral arrangements. For example, a couple family members may carry some large arrangements down the aisle of the funeral home's room and set them near the casket at the front of the room. This is a suitable job for children who have the physical strength to manage a heavy arrangement. The exact manner in which you deal with this role depends on how you have the funeral planned, but the children can carry the flowers into the space and place them in a spot of prominence.

Reading a Key Piece of Scripture

Many children will naturally shy away from public speaking, but if there's an older child in the family who shared a close bond with the recently deceased family member, he or she may wish to be involved in the service. A suitable job for an adolescent is to read a significant piece of scripture. It's too much to ask a teen to write and deliver a eulogy, for example, but as long as he or she is given the scripture verses ahead of time to practice, you can count on the teen delivering the words satisfactorily.

For more tips on arranging a funeral and including everyone who was close to the deceased, work with a funeral director like those at O'Halloran & Murphy Funeral & Cremation Services.