would you bring a six month old to a funeral?

Question

we made plans for our baby to go to my mothers yet my girlfriend told her that no she cant have him she changed her mind she wanted to bring him....so we did have some one to look after him.

Answer 1

No! there is absolutely NO reason to. All that can happen is the child could get cranky and interrupt the funeral.

Answer 2

If I were a close relative of the deceased, if I knew that people who were coming to the funeral (especially other relatives) would enjoy seeing the baby, and if there were no babysitting options (if you are family coming in from out of town and all the relatives are attending the funeral, who would keep the baby?) then I certainly might. I'd handle it as I would taking a baby to church, slipping out of the service if necessary if the baby was loud or crying. The six month old will not know what is going on with the funeral; all he/she will understand is that people are sad.

People grieving can sometimes find comfort and hope in seeing babies--it's a circle of life thing. My mother would have been upset with me if I had left my daughter anywhere else during my father's service (she was 2, but the same concept applies).

Now, guests not close to the family are perhaps a different matter. If other arrangements could easily be made, perhaps it would be best not to bring them. But if I were a grieving family member, and someone brought a baby to the service, I would be more glad that they came than I would be upset at any noise the baby made.

Some funeral homes have started putting in nurseries and will hire caregivers to attend to babies and small children in another room during the service. I think this is an excellent idea that needs to spread. Then they are sheltered from anything the parents don't want them to see, while close by for parents to check on. This feature is a big factor that I would look for in choosing arrangements for a loved one, particularly if I knew there would be attendees with small children.

Answer 3

Depends on whose funeral it is. If it's a close family member and you'll be well supported then fine. If not then best to leave in the care of someone else for the day. Also need to take into account the very real possibility of the baby crying during the ceremony-could be very difficult.

Answer 4

Sometimes you don' t have much of a choice as a parent on whether or not to bring your children to things. Especially to a funeral of a family member - it's something that you have to attend and if you can't find a sitter, then you just have to bring your child. We had to bring our daughter along to my husband's great grandpa's funeral when she was 11 months old. It's your family. They understand. They'd probably be happy to see the baby - something to cheer them up after a sad day. It's all good! :)

Answer 5

No, don't subject your child to that kind of atmosphere at such a young age, not only for the child's sake but also out of respect for the other mourners.

A child screaming in the middle of the service would be awful, it's meant to be a peaceful day, a day of reflection and remembrance, don't let the people there only have the sound of your baby crying to remember this persons funeral by.

So sorry for your loss.

Answer 6

Do you mean to the visitation or to the church services. If you are still nursing and don't have a way to leave the child at home, you could certainly bring it to a visitation but I would make sure that you go in , pay your respects and then leave. Sometimes a beautiful baby can bring a little joy into a sad occasion. As for the church service, babies often cry which would spoil a solemn occasion so unless the church has a "cry room" I would say this would not be appropriate.

Answer 7

No. I believe that it would be inappropriate. My grandmother passed away 2 weeks ago and a couple of people brought small children to the funeral and all they did was cry during the service. I think it may have been because they were picking up on all of the sad emotions in the room, but it was not comforting for us to have to listen to babies crying while remembering our grandmother.

On a side note, my daughter is 20 months old and I did take her to the veiwing, but not the funeral.

Answer 8

Yes. Babies and children are a welcome distraction at a difficult time. My son was at 2 funerals at a very young age, and people actually thanked me for bringing him.

There is nothing wrong with bringing a baby to a funeral. They will bring smiles to faces, it's perfectly acceptable.

Answer 9

You can just sit in the back if they start to make noise step outside. It is not always easy to find a sitter so at least this way you can give the family support and leave if you need to. There were lots of babies at my sons memorial

Answer 10

Yes. A baby might be a nice distraction, a nice reminder of the circle of life, for the people attending. And a baby that age, especially, is pretty easy to keep from bothering people. Just hold it, feed it, change it when it gets fussy.

Answer 11

Ideally, no, only because young babies can be an unwelcome distraction from a solemn ceremony. But if they will nap or are usually pretty good, then yes. But sit at the back near a door, and be ready to take the child out IMMEDIATELY if they get the least bit fussy. Don't take a lot of noisy toys to "distract" them with, because it would also distract the other mourners.