It's hard to imagine anything being more difficult on a child than the death of a parent, and your heart may be going out to your child while you mourn the loss of a spouse. No matter what your personal situation is, it is important to take actions to help make this as easy on your child as possible, and honoring the traditions of death and a child's need to mourn the parent is important. Here are three choices you may give your child after the death of their parent.

Choice #1: Selecting an Icon or Verse for the Headstone

When a child is mourning the loss of the parent, they may long to find ways that the parent can live on and be remembered. One thing that you can do for your child is let them make some choices about the headstone. You do need to approve those choices, since you don't exactly want a quote from Sesame Street on a gravestone. However, it is fairly easy to guide your child towards a few choices that will all work well. You may offer the child three different types of icons that would look good on the headstone, then go with the one they choose.

Choice #2: Allowing Your Child to Pick Photos for the Funeral Program

Let your child choose one or two of their favorite photographs to include in the funeral program. If your child doesn't have designated favorite photos, present 10 to 15 pictures that capture some great memories. These can be pictures that feature the lost parent with their arms around the child, or they can be photographs that include the whole family. Allowing your child to have some input about how the funeral program is created can give them a sense of accomplishment.

Choice #3: Picking a Way to Be a Part of the Memorial Service

When it comes to the funeral itself, your child may want to be directly involved in the memorial service. Let them choose how much or how little they want to be involved. If you feel that your child will be too overwhelmed to actively participate, you may want to ensure that they have an easy way out in case they change their mind.

Finally, be generous with your praise to let your child know how well they are honoring their parent with each choice that they make. Let your child know that their lost parent would be very proud of them, too. These actions can help soothe at least a little of the deep grief the child will be feeling during this time.

For more information, contact local professionals like Maurice Moore Memorials.