At what age should a child be allowed to attend an open casket funeral?

Question

i have a child on the way and i remember my grandmother dying when i was 4 and having no clue why she was lying in a box. it was a tad tramatic. but hey i turned out ok.............. I think. >.>

Answer 1

I was 6 the first time I attended a funeral and the man lying there was my father, personally I don't believe he'd want me to have that memory and also, personally I don't think children under the age of 12 should be allowed to attend funerals, open casket or otherwise, and you yourself named the reason why. At 6 I fully understood death, but it was hard seeing the Daddy I loved laying there looking for all the world like he only asleep. Don't hide your kids from the reality of death, but please put off them actually seeing it for as long as possible. 4 was far too young to see such a thing, so was 6. (I turned out good too, but the memories are still there.)

Answer 2

21

Answer 3

A child doesnt understand what's going on, but attending and not having to peer into the box is okay. Still will be traumatic and a fact of life for everyone.

Answer 4

I think that when you can explain death to them and they can understand. There's a wives' tale out there that states if a pregnant woman goes to a funeral and views the body, the child will have a feature like that person! I know it's not true, just thought that I'd throw it out there.

Answer 5

well i think you should ask the child after you explain all that has happened if they want to go to the funeral...it is hard to understand and i do not think a child should even go to a funeral until maybe 7 or 8...maybe 6 if they understand what you are talking about...it is up to the parents...i know my sons never took any of his kids to my dads funeral recently....but they need to learn about death......

Answer 6

Who's to say what age is right? It should have more to do with the maturity of the child. If they are mature enough to understand what is going on, then go with it. Hell, Steve Irwins 9 year old daughter made a speach at his memorial. She wrote it herself, and spoke every word herself. She understands very well what it is to know and to see death.

Answer 7

over 18

Answer 8

Exactly, so it shouldn't matter. In some countries the open casket is even kept in the home.

Answer 9

15 the same thing happened to me and to this day i won't go to a funeral . not even my mothers when she died in 1987 i want to remember them when we had fun not in a box to be put in the ground

Answer 10

any age is fine...death is part of life even though its hard to understand or explain to a young child but its better they know the truth