Children at a viewing?

Question

Is it OK to take children to a wake? My kids are 9 months and 2 years old. The deceased is my great uncle.

Answer 1

A good deal of that answer is going to depend on the formality of the wake and your "plan" to handle your kids if they get cranky. But other than all that, I say absolutely. Death is a part of life and hiding it from children only does them a diservice. Besides, many people say that hearing the sounds of young life (like your little one) at funerals and wakes is actually soothing in its own way.

Answer 2

Personally I wouldn't take children that young, they really won't remember who your great uncle is or understand the service.

Children under six really shouldn't go to viewings because they don't understand what is happening and depending or not if it's an open casket it may actually cause some trauma.

It's an individual thing and depends on the maturity level of the child.

There are some funerals and viewings as an adult that make me uncomfortable, especially if someone is throwing themselves on the casket and weeping and wailing, that would really scare most children and alot of adults.

Answer 3

No. I wouldn't take them to the viewing. It’s easier on the children. I would however take them to the funeral/gravesite and sit in the back for easy escape just in case. Just explain to your 2 year old in easy words this is a quiet day to say goodbye to your great uncle. Believe me, your family will appreciate the children being there.

Answer 4

It depends on your children. I think a funeral is a good opportunity to teach children about death, since it is a good part of life. You can explain to them that uncle's spirit is no longer in his body, so his body is there in the casket. Depending on how with it you think your 2-year-old is, this might be a good opportunity to learn an important principle.

Answer 5

Yes its ok, as long as they're behaved.
Death is happening everywhere and all the time.
My first funeral was for my great grandfather when I was 3, my husband went his first funeral at 33yo last year.
I found that my family cope with death alot better than most people I know. We are not hidden from what will eventually be.
Up to you, explain to the kids and let them deal with life and death without the hiding.

Answer 6

I wouldn't take kids with you. People will proably be crying ect. and it will probably annoy or upset them if your child walks up to them and asks why are you crying or something. Also it's not fun for the child and I've known children that I've babysat for that have had really bad nightmares after attending a wake.

Answer 7

Since it's your family I think it will be fine if they go but don't take them up to see the body. Don't let the older one run around laughing and playing, get him something quiet to do. Keep the baby occupied so it's not screaming.


I wouldn't take children to a non-relatives viewing or funeral though.

Answer 8

NO! Do you think the other people that will be there will want little ones running all over the place? Let the mourners have this time without the distraction of babies.

Not a suitable place to bring little kids.

Answer 9

Thats kinda young. They probably won't remember anything, and they might get in the way for yourself trying to talk to your family members and then you have to go change a diaper or whatnot. If you can get a sitter, get one. When my grandfather passed, we had little ones there, but they had a seperate room downstairs in the funeral home where they were, and the older cousins, like myself, would take turns watching them.

Answer 10

I would try to find a sitter if I was you. Children that young can be bored very easily, and may become disruptive. I don't think that either one of them are old enough to understand anyways, so I wouldn't think it was necessary for them to be there. Sorry to hear about your loss.