After my father passed away suddenly, my mother, siblings and I all struggled with planning his funeral. We were already in a state of shock and sorrow, and then we were overwhelmed with the options and decisions we had to make in regards to the funeral. Luckily for us, we worked with an amazing funeral home and funeral director who helped guide us through the process. I know how hard it is to plan a funeral and how many decisions need to be made. This website was created in order to give families preparing to lay a loved one to rest a guide of sorts that will help them determine what decisions will need to be made and information about those decisions. I extend my sympathies to you if you are in this position and hope my website helps to make things a little bit easier for you.
Of course, any time a beloved friend or family member passes away, there is sadness. However, when it is a child who dies, that sadness is multiplied many times over. If you have been asked to plan a child's funeral, you have an important job ahead of you. Mourners will be coming to honor the child and his or her family, but they will also be coming to be inspired and comforted. Naturally, this is especially true for the child's family. Here are some ideas that might help you to plan a memorable service.
A Display - A lovely thing to do is to have a display of objects that represent the deceased child. Pictures taken from birth to present day are a good place to start. Select one special picture to frame and use as a focal point of the display, perhaps by placing the framed photograph on an easel. Add favorite toys, and things like trophies, awards and certificates of achievement. Did the child have a hobby? For example, if he or she loved crafts, display some of the child's handiwork. Was the child a collector? Toy cars, dolls, teddy bears and action figures are just a few of the things that might be added to the display.
The Music - Even though the music might bring additional tears, it is still an important part of the service. Perhaps the child's cousins or classmates could sing a medley of songs like Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam, Jesus Loves Me and even songs from movies like You've Got A Friend In Me. Another idea is for a soloist accompanied by a violinist or a pianist to sing traditional songs like How Great Thou Art or Holy, Holy, Holy. A lovely choice for the closing song is Abide With Me.
The Spoken Words - Is there a grandpa or a grandma or another close family member who would be willing to give the eulogy and to share stories from the child's life? Perhaps siblings would each like a turn at expressing tender thoughts about their brother or sister. In addition, a Scout master, a church youth leader, a school teacher or anybody else who has worked closely with the child might be asked to share memories of times spent together. Scriptures like The Lord's Prayer and The Twenty-third Psalm would be comforting for a Christian burial, or one could choose appropriate words from the applicable faith.
As mourners leave the funeral service, it would be a very thoughtful gesture for them to be able to take home a tangible memory of the child. A bookmark with the child's picture and a message like Thank You For Being My Friend is just one idea that would be appropriate. Work with a funeral home, like Union Funeral Home-Lytwyn & Lytwyn, for more ideas.
Share7 April 2016
