At what age do you think is appropiate for a child to attend a funeral?

It's seems we all have something to say on this. All I can add is, Did your son have a close tie with the deceased? If yes then he must go, this will make it all final, he will be upset and that's fine. Death is part of life and it will teach him how to deal with it. I'm sure you will be there for him and help him through this time.

The first one that I can remember going to, I was exactly 7. I didn't really comprehend what was going on. All I remember is during the service, everyone had their heads lowered and I remember seeing my Godmother crying.. For some reason I couldn't stop laughing, more of a silent laugh, and I still have no idea why I did that.. I think I was getting nervous because I knew SOMETHING was a big deal. I do laugh now when I'm nervous to this day. After the service, when the closed the casket, I remember realizing that that was the last time I will ever see my grandpa. That's when I broke down. It is possible to bring a 7 year old. I'm not sure what I'd do. I don't think I'd bring one if I didn't have to. After that I still thought maybed I'd see him so being there or not being there I didn't really understand death yet. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it, but growing up I've been to a lot of funerals/wakes. Now I'm in college studying Mortuary Science. I was a little weird with death and I loved being scared growing up..

I was 5 when I went to my first funeral. My Mom explained what was going to happen and I was fine. I continued to go whenever there was one. I'm glad I went because my Dad died when I was 10. It was hard on me, but I knew what to expect. My daughter went with me to my cousin's funeral and she was 3 and kept wiping the tears from my eyes and telling me that " It's okay, Mommy." She's fine now. Our family just never makes a big deal of a child at the funeral. Death is a part of life. Now, if they start crying, laughing, or playing, etc. then the parent has got to take them out. No disruptions of a sacred moment allowed.

Yes - he should go. He should learn and see that it is OK to cry and grieve; both as a child and an adult. It is part of the life cycle and part of letting go.

The important thing is that people (of all ages) get support through the process. This helps prevent regret of not attending, or prevents ongoing pain... we are all human and in turn he will have to think back and support his children when his grandparents and parents pass away. Learning respect and caring for people living and dying is part of growing up.

So take him and share your thoughts and grief and loss together.

I don't see anything wrong with bringing a young child to the funeral. I used to bring my girl who was 4 at that time and nothing happened. Just explain to them what is going on and what to expect during that period before attending the funeral.

Kids need to know that adults get upset and cry too. Your child will want to know where the deceased person is and you should be totally honest with him/her.

My first funeral was when I was 5 or 6 and it was my best friend, who happend to be my neighbor "Uncle John". Nobody really explained to me what was going on so it was a long time before I fully understood.

Explain to him first what is happening and why people will be crying before you go. In our Society death is not spoken about it is hidden, I just think that is wrong. I think that is why people do not handle death well when somebody does die, and they become depressed, funerals should be a celerbration of life and a normal part of life, after all we all end up dead, take the kid and teach him that it is okay to cry and it is not a sign of weakness to cry, tell him that life is to be lived and enjoyed, and tell him to achieve something great in your life,

I had to take my five year old (six next month) along to my uncles funeral last week....it was out of town and I had nobody to leave her with as all my family were attending. Yes, she got a little upset when she saw all the relatives upset, but i took in some pens and a drawing pad in with us and she sat and drew a church during the service. All in all she was fine, and as soon as we were outside she looked at the pretty flowers. By the time we got to the wake, she was really fine, helping herself to the food, plus people were laughing by then, remembering good times with my uncle

I think you need to choose on your circumstances.

I was in my late teens before I attended my first funeral. I wish I'd gone to one earlier (12) but circumstances prevented me from going...

My grandfather recently passed in his 90's and they actually included his great grandchildren (all aged 4 or 5 to 12) and they put flowers and later poppies (with the rest of the family) on his casket.

They were a bit sad of course but I'm glad they were there...

i attended my first funeral when i was 8...it was my grandmother's and i did cry and mourn along w/ everyone else. i don't think age should be an issue i've seen kids younger than 3 attend a funeral.