to drugs and sometimesmay display similar symptoms of deceased person. To helppreteens you can tell them that even though there may be nofeeling of grief at the time, that the grief just might hit themmuch later on, or during an event like Christmas. It is good forchildren to know crying is healthy, to let it out other wisestress can build up and life can get miserable. Encourage themto go to the funeral; this is important for closure, to see thebody peaceful and to verify death is vital for last sight memoryof the deceased to be one of comfort and peace. (Vogel 18)Since the funeral is a significant event, childrenshould have the same opportunity to attend as any othermember of the family. They should be allowed toattend, never forced. Parents should explain thepurpose of the funeral. Its an opportunity to help,support and comfort each other, as well as a time tohonor the life of the person who has died. (Wolfelt28) Listen to what they have to say, usually just listening helpsimmensely. (Vogel 18)Touching and holding the child can be as important asthe things we say. Listening means responding to theneeds of the whole person, not just to the wordsspoken. It means being accepting rather thanjudgmental. It means opening ourselves to involvementand the possibility of being hurt. Listening is a formof loving! (Vogel 16)Speaking of listening, adolescents can have much to say andneed to be heard. Teens are almost like adults; an adolescent ismore understanding of death and is able to think more abstractly. However, suicide is looked at as means of getting back at someoneor to teach a lesson. Teens know that life is fragile; thisknowledge shows the complexity of their understanding life anddeath, more so than the other ages. Some behaviors to watch forare that of anger, aggression, wanting to assume a more adultrole in family status and increased risk taking. When my momdied, I thought my heart would break, but I couldnt cry (...
